Why does tetracycline impact prokaryotic cell but not eukaryotic cells?

Tetracycline selectively targets prokaryotic cells because it binds to the 30S ribosomal subunit, inhibiting protein synthesis specific to bacteria. Prokaryotic ribosomes differ structurally from eukaryotic ribosomes, which have a 40S and 60S subunit composition. This structural distinction allows tetracycline to effectively disrupt bacterial translation while leaving eukaryotic cells largely unaffected. Consequently, tetracycline is a useful antibiotic for treating bacterial infections without harming the host's eukaryotic cells.