In microbiology, selective toxicity refers to damage to:

• A. only host cells
• B. both microbial and host cells equally
• C. the environment surrounding the cells
• D. microbial cells without harming host cells

Answer: (D)

Verified step by step guidance

1. Understand the concept of selective toxicity in microbiology, which is the ability of an antimicrobial agent to target microbial cells specifically without causing harm to the host's cells.
2. Recognize that selective toxicity is crucial for effective treatment because it ensures that the drug damages or kills the pathogen while minimizing side effects on the host organism.
3. Identify that selective toxicity does not refer to damage to only host cells, both microbial and host cells equally, or the environment surrounding the cells, but specifically targets microbial cells.
4. Recall examples of selective toxicity, such as antibiotics that inhibit bacterial cell wall synthesis, a feature absent in human cells, thereby sparing host cells.
5. Summarize that the correct understanding of selective toxicity is damage to microbial cells without harming host cells, which is fundamental in antimicrobial therapy.