Microbial Inhibitors and DNA Replication

This set of flashcards covers key vocabulary related to microbial inhibitors and DNA replication, focusing on various drugs, mechanisms, and biological processes.

Microbial

Relating to microscopic organisms, especially those that cause disease.

Sulfonamides

A group of antimicrobials that inhibit bacterial growth by blocking folic acid synthesis.

Trimethoprim

An antibiotic that inhibits dihydrofolate reductase (DHFR), used often in combination with sulfonamides.

Folic acid derivatives

Compounds that resemble folic acid and affect metabolic pathways in bacteria.

Bacteriostatic

Agents that inhibit the growth of bacteria but do not kill them.

DHFR

Dihydrofolate reductase, an enzyme crucial in folate metabolism.

DNA Replication Inhibitors

Substances that interfere with the process of DNA synthesis.

Nucleotide Precursors

Building blocks used in DNA synthesis.

Bactrim

A combination antibiotic containing trimethoprim and sulfamethoxazole.

Side effects

Unintended reactions or consequences from the use of a medication.

Eukaryotic

Cells that contain a nucleus; includes animal and plant cells.

Methotrexate

A chemotherapeutic agent that inhibits dihydrofolate reductase, used in cancer treatment.

5-FU (5-Fluorouracil)

A chemotherapeutic agent that inhibits thymidylate synthase, affecting DNA synthesis.

Hydroxyurea

A drug that inhibits ribonucleotide reductase, blocking DNA synthesis.

Thymidylate Synthase

An enzyme involved in converting uridine to thymidine, crucial for DNA nucleotide synthesis.

DNA Replication Machinery

The collection of enzymes and proteins involved in replicating DNA.

Acyclovir

An antiviral medication used to treat infections caused by certain viruses, such as herpes.

Cidofovir

An antiviral drug that inhibits viral DNA polymerases.

TK (Thymidine Kinase)

An enzyme that phosphorylates thymidine, important for nucleic acid metabolism.

Viral DNA polymerase

Enzymes used by viruses to replicate their DNA.

AZT (Zidovudine)

An antiretroviral medication used to treat HIV by inhibiting reverse transcriptase.

Reverse Transcriptase

An enzyme that converts RNA into DNA, crucial for retroviruses.

DNA polymerase inhibitors

Agents that block the activity of DNA polymerases, halting DNA replication.

Quinolones

A class of antibiotics that inhibit bacterial DNA gyrase.

Novobiocin

An antibiotic that inhibits DNA gyrase, primarily used against Gram-positive bacteria.

DNA gyrase (topoisomerase)

An enzyme that alleviates the torsional strain generated ahead of the replication fork.

Etoposide

A chemotherapeutic agent that inhibits topoisomerase II, affecting DNA replication.

Topoisomerase

Enzymes that alter the topological states of DNA during replication.

Topoisomerase Inhibitors

Substances that prevent topoisomerases from functioning properly.

Cytarabine (ARC)

A chemotherapeutic agent that inhibits DNA polymerase, used primarily in leukemia treatment.

DNA polymerase

Enzymes that synthesize DNA molecules from nucleotides.

Nucleotide

The basic building block of nucleic acids, consisting of a sugar, phosphate, and a nitrogenous base.

Antimetabolites

Compounds that impede cellular metabolism and growth by mimicking normal metabolites.

Chemotherapy

Treatment of disease, particularly cancer, using chemical substances.

Antibiotic resistance

The ability of bacteria to withstand the effects of an antibiotic.

Inhibitor

A substance that slows down or stops a chemical reaction or biological process.

Viral replication

The process by which a virus makes copies of itself.