Scientists investigated a novel antibiotic designed to treat respiratory infections by inhibiting bacterial RNA polymerase.
In a preclinical safety study, the antibiotic is administered to infected hamsters at a dosage of 35 mg kg−1 day−135\text{ mg kg}^{-1}\text{ day}^{-1}35 mg kg−1 day−1. Calculate the mass of antibiotic, in mg\text{mg}mg, that should be administered daily to a hamster weighing 140 g140\text{ g}140 g. Show your working.
After 6 days of treatment, the bacterial concentration in the lung tissue of two groups of infected hamsters was determined:
Calculate the percentage reduction in the actual concentration of bacteria per mL\text{mL}mL in Group N compared with Group S. Give your answer to 3 significant figures and show your working.
Using your knowledge of cell structure, explain why this antibiotic, which inhibits bacterial RNA polymerase, can be safely administered to eukaryotic hosts (such as humans) without disrupting their own nucleic acid synthesis.
