Question

Please list and briefly describe some differences between bacterial and animal cells that have not been targeted with antibiotics. For each one you list indicate whether you think this could be a target and why.

Answer 1

Bacterial cells have flagella for movement and pili for attachment to the living surfaces. Both these structures are absent in the human cell and can be a good target for antibiotic therapy as if the flagella is targeted bacteria will not be able to move and confined into a place and later they can be killed by other antibiotics. Similarly, pilii can also be targeted and thus bacteria would not be able to attach themselves inside the human body to cause infection.