Multiple choice

Which one of the following is antimetabolites of bacteria?

  1. PABA

  2. Para-Aminobenzenesulphonamide

  3. Both (1) & (2)

  4. Benzenesulphonic acid
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
B Correct answer
Explanation

Para-aminobenzenesulphonamide (sulphanilamide) is a sulfa drug that acts as an antimetabolite. It competes with para-aminobenzoic acid (PABA), which bacteria need to synthesize folic acid. By mimicking PABA structure, it disrupts bacterial folate synthesis, killing the bacteria. PABA itself is not an antimetabolite - it's the metabolite bacteria actually need.

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