Question
Antimicrobial agents employ which of the following methods to control the growth of microbes? Inactivate viruses by attacking cell membrane lipids. Alteration of membrane permeability Damage to nucleic acids Damage to proteins
Solution
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(196 Votes)
Kassandra
Elite ยท Tutor for 8 years
Answer
timicrobial agents control the growth of microbes by employing several methods, and the following options listed are all valid:* **Alteration of membrane permeability:** Disrupting the cell membrane can lead to leakage of essential cellular components and prevent the cell from maintaining proper function, ultimately leading to cell death. Many disinfectants and some antibiotics work this way.* **Damage to nucleic acids (DNA/RNA):** Damage to genetic material can prevent replication, transcription, and translation, effectively halting microbial growth and leading to cell death. Some antibiotics, as well as radiation sterilization techniques, utilize this method.* **Damage to proteins:** Proteins are essential for various cellular processes. Damaging proteins can disrupt enzyme activity, structural integrity, and other vital functions, leading to cell death. Many antimicrobial agents, including heat and some disinfectants, target proteins.While the option "Inactivate viruses by attacking cell membrane lipids" is partially correct, it's important to clarify: Viruses don't have cell membranes in the same way bacteria or fungi do. They have a *viral envelope* which is derived from the host cell membrane, often containing lipids. Antiviral agents *can* target these lipid envelopes, but this mechanism is specific to *enveloped* viruses. Non-enveloped viruses wouldn't be susceptible to this method. Therefore, it's not a universal method of microbial control like the other three options.