Antimicrobial drugs

Definition

Antimicrobial drugs are agents that kill or inhibit the growth of microorganisms, including bacteria, fungi, and viruses. They are crucial in treating infections and have revolutionized modern medicine.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. The discovery of penicillin by Alexander Fleming in 1928 marked the beginning of the antibiotic era.
2. Antimicrobial drugs can be classified based on their mechanism of action such as cell wall synthesis inhibitors, protein synthesis inhibitors, nucleic acid synthesis inhibitors, and metabolic pathway inhibitors.
3. Selective toxicity is a key principle where antimicrobial drugs target pathogens without harming the host's cells.
4. Overuse and misuse of antimicrobial drugs contribute to the development of antibiotic-resistant strains of bacteria.
5. Broad-spectrum antibiotics affect a wide range of bacteria while narrow-spectrum antibiotics target specific types.

Review Questions

• What was the significance of Alexander Fleming's discovery in 1928?
• How do broad-spectrum antibiotics differ from narrow-spectrum antibiotics?
• Why is selective toxicity important in the use of antimicrobial drugs?

Related terms

Penicillin:

The first antibiotic discovered by Alexander Fleming, effective against gram-positive bacteria.

Selective Toxicity: The ability of an antimicrobial drug to target microorganisms without damaging the host.

Antibiotic Resistance:

A phenomenon where bacteria evolve to survive exposure to antibiotics that would normally kill them or inhibit their growth.