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Question #46954
The Question
Mycoplasma is known to be completely insensitive to penicillin but highly susceptible to tetracycline. Which of the following best explains the molecular basis for this differential sensitivity?
Options
- A.
Penicillin cannot target its absent peptidoglycan cell wall, whereas tetracycline successfully inhibits translation by binding to its 70S ribosomes.
- B.
Penicillin fails to penetrate its sterol-rich cell membrane, while tetracycline inhibits transcription by binding to its DNA-dependent RNA polymerase.
- C.
It lacks a cell wall making penicillin ineffective, but tetracycline acts by disrupting its 80S ribosomes during protein synthesis.
- D.
Penicillin is degraded by beta-lactamases produced by Mycoplasma, whereas tetracycline directly inhibits the formation of peptide bonds in its 70S ribosomes.
Check Your Answer
Correct Answer
Step-by-Step Solution
Explanation
How the Examiner Thinks
Regulatory_Failure
Understand how NOT, EXCEPT, and logical constraints are used to manipulate exam results.
Concepts Behind This Question
Mycoplasma|Plasma_Membrane|Cholesterol
Why This Question Is Tricky
Common Mistakes
Conceptual Pivot: Students often overgeneralize the NCERT fact that Mycoplasma is 'resistant to penicillin' into a misconception that it is resistant to ALL antibiotics.
This question forces the synthesis of two distinct NCERT concepts: Chapter 2 (Biological Classification - Mycoplasma lacks a cell wall) and Chapter 8 (Cell: The Unit of Life - Prokaryotes possess 70S ribosomes).
It tests the ability to distinguish between structural resistance (cell wall absence) and metabolic susceptibility (ribosomal translation).
Quick Facts About This Question
Question Information
| Subject | Biology |
| Chapter | Biological Classification - Class 11 |
| Concept | Mycoplasma Sensitivity |
| Difficulty | 8 |
| Cognitive Load | 5 |
| Target Solve Time | 120 sec |
| Access | Free |