Antibiotic mechanisms
Fri, Oct 2, 2026 · Week 6 · Genetics of Disease (Medical Interventions)
Today's goal: Explain how antibiotics kill or stop bacteria by targeting structures that human cells do not share.
What a finished product looks like
This is a model of the work you should turn in today. Use it to check your own: match the structure and the level of detail, do not copy it. Your data and wording should be your own.
Why antibiotics do not work on viruses: viruses are not cells, so they have no cell wall and no ribosomes of their own for an antibiotic to attack; they hijack the host cell's machinery instead.
Note on selectivity: beta-lactams target the bacterial cell wall, which human cells do not have, so they harm bacteria while sparing us.
| Antibiotic class | Target structure | Why it spares human cells |
|---|---|---|
| Beta-lactam (penicillin) | Bacterial cell wall (peptidoglycan) | Human cells have no cell wall |
| Aminoglycoside | Bacterial 70S ribosome | Human cytoplasmic ribosomes are 80S |
Also due today: Keep in notebook; bring to Monday's disk-diffusion lab.
WebXam problem for today's skill
One exam-style question that uses exactly what you practiced today. Try it before you reveal the answer, then read why each choice is right or wrong.
Tap an answer to see the full explanation. Nothing is recorded or graded.