Chloramphenicol binds to the 50S portion of a ribosome, which will interfere with
a. transcription in prokaryotic cells.
b. transcription in eukaryotic cells.
c. translation in prokaryotic cells.
d. translation in eukaryotic cells.
e. DNA synthesis.

Verified step by step guidance

1. Identify the function of chloramphenicol: Chloramphenicol is an antibiotic that inhibits protein synthesis.
2. Understand the target of chloramphenicol: It binds to the 50S subunit of the ribosome.
3. Determine the process affected: The 50S subunit is part of the ribosome involved in translation, not transcription or DNA synthesis.
4. Consider the type of cells: Prokaryotic cells have 70S ribosomes composed of 50S and 30S subunits, while eukaryotic cells have 80S ribosomes composed of 60S and 40S subunits.
5. Conclude which process is interfered with: Since chloramphenicol binds to the 50S subunit, it interferes with translation in prokaryotic cells.

Key Concepts

Ribosome Structure and Function

Ribosomes are cellular structures composed of ribosomal RNA and proteins, essential for protein synthesis. In prokaryotes, ribosomes are 70S, consisting of a 50S and a 30S subunit, while eukaryotic ribosomes are 80S, made up of a 60S and a 40S subunit. The 50S subunit is crucial for the translation process, where messenger RNA (mRNA) is decoded to synthesize proteins.

Translation Process

Translation is the process by which ribosomes synthesize proteins using the genetic information encoded in mRNA. It involves three main stages: initiation, elongation, and termination. During elongation, amino acids are added to the growing polypeptide chain, and this process is directly affected by antibiotics like chloramphenicol, which inhibit the function of the ribosome.

Antibiotic Mechanism of Action

Antibiotics are substances that inhibit the growth of or kill bacteria. Chloramphenicol specifically targets the bacterial ribosome, preventing peptide bond formation during translation. This selective inhibition is crucial for its effectiveness against prokaryotic cells while sparing eukaryotic cells, which have different ribosomal structures and functions.