Inhibitors are substances that stop biological processes in a range of different ways. Table 5.1 presents some antibiotics, their modes of action and the diseases they are used to treat.
(a)[2]
Suggest why erythromycin is able to inhibit translation in the bacterium that causes cholera but does not inhibit translation in humans infected with this pathogen.
(b)[1]
State why penicillin has no effect on human cells.
(c)[1]
Explain one way in which rifampicin may inhibit the activity of RNA polymerase during transcription.
Worked solution & mark scheme
This 4-mark question has a full step-by-step worked solution and mark scheme. One marking point: “Bacterial cells contain 70S ribosomes, whereas human cells contain 80S ribosomes” …