Which of the following antimicrobial agents primarily disrupts protein structure by denaturing proteins through oxidation of sulfhydryl groups?

• A. Hydrogen peroxide
• B. Polymyxin B
• C. Tetracycline
• D. Penicillin

Answer: (A)

Verified step by step guidance

1. Understand the mechanism of action for each antimicrobial agent listed: Hydrogen peroxide, Polymyxin B, Tetracycline, and Penicillin.
2. Recall that hydrogen peroxide acts as an oxidizing agent, which can disrupt protein structure by oxidizing sulfhydryl (-SH) groups in proteins, leading to denaturation.
3. Recognize that Polymyxin B primarily disrupts bacterial cell membranes by interacting with phospholipids, not by oxidizing proteins.
4. Know that Tetracycline inhibits protein synthesis by binding to the 30S ribosomal subunit, preventing tRNA attachment, rather than denaturing proteins.
5. Understand that Penicillin inhibits bacterial cell wall synthesis by targeting peptidoglycan cross-linking enzymes, not by oxidizing protein sulfhydryl groups.