Drugs that target peptidoglycan do not affect eukaryotes and would therefore have a low therapeutic index.
True
False
The correct answer and explanation is:
The correct answer is True.
Peptidoglycan is a crucial component of the bacterial cell wall, providing structural support and protection. However, eukaryotic cells, which make up plants, animals, fungi, and protozoa, lack peptidoglycan in their cell structures. This key difference makes drugs that target peptidoglycan, such as beta-lactams (penicillin, for example), highly selective for bacterial cells.
Since peptidoglycan is not present in eukaryotic cells, drugs that inhibit its synthesis or disrupt its structure do not directly affect eukaryotic cells. This makes them more effective in treating bacterial infections, as they specifically target bacterial cell walls without harming human or animal cells.
The concept of the therapeutic index refers to the ratio of the dose of a drug that causes toxic effects to the dose that produces a therapeutic effect. Drugs that specifically target bacterial structures (like peptidoglycan) and not eukaryotic cells are generally considered to have a high therapeutic index. This is because there is a wide margin between the dose needed to kill bacteria and the dose that could harm the eukaryotic host.
However, if the statement says that such drugs have a “low therapeutic index,” this could be a misunderstanding. Drugs targeting peptidoglycan usually have a high therapeutic index because they are selective for bacterial cells and do not affect eukaryotic cells. Thus, these drugs are typically safe to use in humans without causing significant side effects, unless the drug is misused or there is an allergic reaction.
In conclusion, the statement about peptidoglycan-targeting drugs having a low therapeutic index is false, as these drugs are highly specific to bacteria and are usually safe for use in humans.