Gentamicin primarily targets which type of bacteria?

Gentamicin primarily targets which type of bacteria?

• A. Aerobic Gram-Negative Bacteria
• B. Anaerobic Gram-Positive Bacteria
• C. Fungi
• D. Viruses

Answer: (A)

Gentamicin is an aminoglycoside that inhibits bacterial protein synthesis by binding the 30S ribosomal subunit, causing misreading of mRNA. Its entry into bacterial cells depends on energy-dependent, oxygen-requiring processes, so it is most effective against aerobic bacteria. The outer membrane and uptake pathways of Gram-negative bacteria allow gentamicin to accumulate inside the cell, making aerobic Gram-negative organisms the primary targets. Anaerobes uptake poorly without oxygen, and fungi or viruses are not bacteria at all, so they are not targeted by this antibiotic.

Gentamicin is an aminoglycoside that inhibits bacterial protein synthesis by binding the 30S ribosomal subunit, causing misreading of mRNA. Its entry into bacterial cells depends on energy-dependent, oxygen-requiring processes, so it is most effective against aerobic bacteria. The outer membrane and uptake pathways of Gram-negative bacteria allow gentamicin to accumulate inside the cell, making aerobic Gram-negative organisms the primary targets. Anaerobes uptake poorly without oxygen, and fungi or viruses are not bacteria at all, so they are not targeted by this antibiotic.