MDCAT Biology MCQ #1690

An antibiotic like Streptomycin targets 70S ribosomes to inhibit bacterial protein synthesis. Why does this drug generally not interfere with protein synthesis in human cytoplasm?

MDCAT Biology MCQ #1690

  1. Question 1

    Q1. An antibiotic like Streptomycin targets 70S ribosomes to inhibit bacterial protein synthesis. Why does this drug generally not interfere with protein synthesis in human cytoplasm?

    • A) Human cytoplasm contains 80S ribosomes
    • B) Human cells lack ribosomes entirely
    • C) Human cells have 70S ribosomes in the nucleus
    • D) Human ribosomes lack protein components

    Answer: Human cytoplasm contains 80S ribosomes

    Explanation: Human cytoplasmic ribosomes are 80S, while bacteria have 70S. Mitochondrial ribosomes are tempting because they are 70S, but the drug's safety depends on cytoplasmic differences.