GATE BT 2021 • Q46 MSQ • 2 Marks

Section 4: Bioprocess Engineering and Process Biotechnology

Mass transfer in bioprocesses (kLa)

Subtopic: Fundamentals of Mass transfer in bioprocesses (kLa)

Question Statement:

Which of the following antimicrobial agents) is/are growth factor analog(s)?

Options:

  • (A) | 5-Fluorouracil
  • (B) Isoniazid
  • (C) | Sulfanilamide
  • (D) Tetracycline

Official Answer Key:

A,B,C

Step-by-Step Solution & Explanation

### **Official Solution & Concept Analysis (GATE BT 2021 Q.46)** **1. Governing Concept**: - **Topic**: Microbiology & Antimicrobial Growth Factor Analogs - **Growth factor analogs** are synthetic chemicals structurally similar to essential bacterial growth factors (vitamins, amino acids, purines/pyrimidines) that competitively inhibit essential metabolic pathways: 1. **Sulfanilamide (Sulfonamides)**: Structural analog of **p-aminobenzoic acid (PABA)**; competitively inhibits dihydropteroate synthase in folic acid biosynthesis. 2. **Isoniazid (INH)**: Structural analog of **nicotinamide / pyridoxine**; blocks mycolic acid synthesis in *Mycobacterium tuberculosis*. 3. **5-Fluorouracil**: Structural analog of **uracil**; inhibits thymidylate synthase. - In contrast, $\beta$-lactams (penicillin) inhibit transpeptidation of peptidoglycan, not growth factor pathways. **2. Option Analysis**: - **Option (A) [Sulfanilamide] is CORRECT**: The classic PABA analog inhibiting bacterial folate synthesis. - **Option (B) [Isoniazid] is CORRECT**: Nicotinamide growth factor analog specific for mycobacterial cell wall synthesis inhibition. - **Option (C) [5-Fluorouracil] is CORRECT**: Pyrimidine nucleobase analog blocking nucleic acid biosynthesis. - **Option (D) [Penicillin] is INCORRECT**: Natural fungal $\beta$-lactam antibiotic targeting cell wall transpeptidase, not a growth factor analog. **3. Final Answer**: - **Correct Options**: **A, B, C**

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