You perform a rapid strep test on the patient, which comes up positive. You tell her that she most likely has strep throat, caused by Streptococcus pyogenes. You prescribe penicillin for her, and tell her that this antibiotic is effective because it interferes with the synthesis of ________ by the pathogen.
A) peptidoglycan
B) capsule material
C) ribosomes
D) proteins
E) ATP

Question

You perform a rapid strep test on the patient, which comes up positive. You tell her that she most likely has strep throat, caused by Streptococcus pyogenes. You prescribe penicillin for her, and tell her that this antibiotic is effective because it interferes with the synthesis of ________ by the pathogen.
A) peptidoglycan
B) capsule material
C) ribosomes
D) proteins
E) ATP

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Penicillin interferes with the synthesis of peptidoglycan, which is a crucial component of the bacterial cell wall. This inhibition weakens the cell wall and leads to bacterial death. Streptococcus pyogenes, the causative agent of strep throat, has a peptidoglycan cell wall, making it susceptible to penicillin.

You Perform a Rapid Strep Test on the Patient, Which