Ciprofloxacin, erythromycin and acyclovir are employed to treat the microbial infections. Ciprofloxacin inhibits DNA gyrase. Erythromycin binds in front of the A site on the 50S subunit of a ribosome. Acyclovir is a guanine analog.
a) What steps in protein synthesis are inhibited by each and every drug?
b) Which drug is more efficient against bacteria? Explain why?
c) Which drug is more efficient against viruses? Explain why?
d) Which drugs will have effects on the host's cells? Explain why?
Use the index to recognize the disease for which acyclovir is used. Why is it more efficient than erythromycin for treating this disease?