Antibiotic: Difference between revisions
No edit summary |
No edit summary |
||
| Line 7: | Line 7: | ||
= '''Why do Antibiotics Work?''' = | = '''Why do Antibiotics Work?''' = | ||
[[Bacteria|Bacteria]] and [[Eukaryotes|eukaryotes]] form two different kingdoms meaning that there are many differences between them. These differences can be exploited when trying to beat an [[Infection|infection]]. Drugs can directly inhibit a process in [[Bacteria|bacteria without]] causing any disruption to a similar process in the host [[Organism|organism]]. Many antibiotics target the | [[Bacteria|Bacteria]] and [[Eukaryotes|eukaryotes]] form two different kingdoms meaning that there are many differences between them. These differences can be exploited when trying to beat an [[Infection|infection]]. Drugs can directly inhibit a process in [[Bacteria|bacteria without]] causing any disruption to a similar process in the host [[Organism|organism]]. Many antibiotics target the cell wall biosynthesis as [[Eukaryotic cells|eukaryotic cells]] don’t have cell walls making it an easy target.<sup>2</sup> | ||
<br> | <br> | ||
Revision as of 17:32, 25 November 2013
Antibiotics are used to treat bacteria that cause infection. The first antibiotic to be discovered was penicillin and was founded by Alexander Flemming.
How was it Discovered?
Alexander Flemming discovered penicillin completely by accident. He was working with a strain of Staphylococcus bacteria and found that the petri dishes became infected with fungi. However there was a ring around each colony where the bacteria had died. Flemming did some research into the fungi and found it came from the penecillium genus which is how penicillin got its name.1
Why do Antibiotics Work?
Bacteria and eukaryotes form two different kingdoms meaning that there are many differences between them. These differences can be exploited when trying to beat an infection. Drugs can directly inhibit a process in bacteria without causing any disruption to a similar process in the host organism. Many antibiotics target the cell wall biosynthesis as eukaryotic cells don’t have cell walls making it an easy target.2
References
1. Sadava et al (2012). Life, the Science of Biology. 10th ed. Sunderland: Sinauer Associates Inc. 608.
2. Alberts et al. (2008). Molecular Biology of the Cell. 5th ed. New York: Garland Science. 1521-1522.