Q. 16.50 - An Introduction to General, Organic, and Biological Chemistry

Question

In humans, the antihiotic amoxicillin (a type of penicillin) is used to treat certain bacterial infections.

a. Docs the antibiotic inhibit emzymes in humans?

b. Why does the antabiotic kill bacteria, but not humans?

c. Is anosicillin a reversible or irreversible inhabitor?

Step-by-Step Solution

Answer

(Part a) The enzyme transpeptidase is absent in humans, so it does not inhibit enzymes in humans.

(Part b) Amoxicillin only kills bacteria, but not humans because humans do not contain cell wall.

(Part c) Amoxicillin is an irreversible inhibitor of transpepticase.

Step 1: Introduction (Part a)

In humans, the antihiotic amoxicillin (a type of penicillin) is used to treat certain bacterial infections. 

Step 2: Given information (part a)

The antibiotic inhibit emzymes in humans 

Step 3: Explanation (Part a)

• Antibiotics are microbe-produced chemicals that inhibit the growth of other microbial species.
• Antibiotics can also be manufactured in laboratories.
• Penicillin antibiotic amoxicillin Penicillins are beta lactam antibiotics that inhibit bacterial cell wall synthesis (inhibition of peptidoglycan later formation). They accomplish this by inhibiting the enzyme "transpeptidase."
• Because the enzyme transpeptidase is absent in humans, it does not inhibit enzymes.

Step 4: Given information (Part b)

The antabiotic kill bacteria, but not humans 

Step 5: Explanation (Part b)

Amoxicillin kills bacteria but not humans because humans lack a cell wall. 

Step 6: Given information (Part c)

The antabiotic kill bacteria, but not humans 

Step 7: Explanation (Part c)

Amoxicillin inhibits transpepticdase irreversibly.