Antifungal agents are often toxic to host cells because the fungal and the host cells are both:

• A. eukaryotic
• B. prokaryotic
• C. obligate anaerobes
• D. photosynthetic

Answer: (A)

Verified step by step guidance

1. Understand the key difference between eukaryotic and prokaryotic cells: eukaryotic cells have a nucleus and membrane-bound organelles, while prokaryotic cells do not.
2. Recognize that fungi are eukaryotic organisms, meaning their cellular structure is similar to that of human (host) cells, which are also eukaryotic.
3. Realize that because both fungal cells and host cells share similar cellular components, antifungal agents targeting fungal cells may also affect host cells, leading to toxicity.
4. Eliminate other options: prokaryotic (fungi are not prokaryotes), obligate anaerobes (fungi are not obligate anaerobes), and photosynthetic (fungi do not perform photosynthesis).
5. Conclude that the correct answer is 'eukaryotic' because the similarity in cell type explains the toxicity of antifungal agents to host cells.