Question

2. Folic acid is a molecule needed in the synthesis of nucleotides. Many bacteria have an enzyme that can bind the molecule, PABA, and catalyze its conversion into folic acid. Bacteria that cannot make folic acid will die. Sulfanilamide is an antibiotic used to treat certain bacterial infections by killing the bacterial cells. Examine the molecular structures below and propose a likely mechanism for the function of sulfanilamide. (4pts) HO, O O=S=0 NH2 NH2 NH2 Sulfanilamide DARA cataluzer

Answer 1

sulfanilamide is an organic compound of sulphure , which is streectureally identical / similare to Parea- Aminobenzoic Acid CPABA). Due to its struectureal similarity Sulfanilamide competitively inhibits the PABA How PABA has an important role . It binds to the enzyme dihydro pterwate synthase and gots converted into dihydrofolic acid, which is a pree curesore of folic Acid. These folic acriols are needed fore synthesis of nucleotidles. Now as the it preevents activity sulfanilamide binds to the the folic acid Synthesis enzyme dihydreoptero ate synthase, and hence shows bactericidal

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