Sulfa antibiotics damage bacteria by affecting a certain bacterial enzyme. The sulfa antibiotic looks similar to a substrate normally required by the bacterial cells to live. The sulfa antibiotic occupies the active site of the required enzyme and blocks entry of its normal substrate. This prevents the bacteria from making nucleotides that are required for their reproduction and survival. Based on this information, the action of sulfa antibiotics is an example of:

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Sulfa antibiotics act as competitive inhibitors, as they compete with the normal substrate for the same active site on the bacterial enzyme. This effectively blocks the normal substrate from binding and carrying out its function, leading to inhibition of bacterial growth and reproduction.

Sulfa Antibiotics Damage Bacteria by Affecting a Certain Bacterial Enzyme