1. Ciprofloxacin, erythromycin and acyclovir are used to treat 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 drug?
b. Which drug is more effective against bacteria? Why?
c. Which drugs will have effects on the hosts cells? Why?
d. Use the index to identify the disease for which acyclovir is primarily used. Why is it more effective than erythromycin for treating this disease?