Final answer:
Cribrostatin is a compound produced by sponges that can kill cancer cells and drug-resistant strains of Streptococcus, not Penicillin, which is effective against Gram-positive bacteria by inhibiting cell wall synthesis.correct answer is option C.
Step-by-step explanation:
The correct answer to the student’s question is 'C. Cribrostatin; cancer cells and drug-resistant strains of Streptococcus'. This compound is known to have biological activity against cancer cells as well as being effective against certain drug-resistant bacteria, providing a potential avenue for the treatment of complex infections that don't respond to traditional antibiotics.
Penicillin, on the other hand, was the first antibiotic discovered and is effective against Gram-positive bacteria due to its ability to inhibit bacterial cell wall synthesis. However, it does not have the specific properties associated with Cribrostatin.
Combining a drug that disrupts ATP synthesis in bacteria with antibiotics could be a strategy for treating infections caused by antibiotic-resistant gram-negative bacteria because it could potentially weaken the bacteria, making them more susceptible to the effects of the antibiotics.