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Antibiotics are the chemical substances obtained from various microorganisms that can be used to treat bacterial infections. Antibiotics are one of the most essential things nowadays. These medicines are recommended by almost all good doctors to treat difficult diseases. However, these antimicrobial drugs are not very useful to kill certain microbes such as bacteria. Nonetheless, antibiotics are a great invention in the world of health and medication.
| Table of Content |
Keyterms: Antibiotics, diseases, bacteria, microbes, infections, Protozoan, microorganisms, Fermentation, Bacterial infections
Antibiotics Definition
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Antibiotics are a kind of drug which is produced from certain organisms such as soil bacteria and fungus to combat and fight against certain other harmful microorganisms. Some antibiotics also have antiprotozoal substances which are effective against Protozoan infections. Antibiotics are almost like the barrier which protects our health against harmful bacterias and microbes.
Antibiotics
Antibiotics Production
The process of producing Antibiotics is known as Fermentation. It is a chemical process where microorganisms are used to produce drugs. A large tank is used which contains the growth medium that provides essential nutrients for the growth of the microorganisms. The pH level and oxygen level are regularly checked and maintained in the fermentation tank which is very important for the production of antibiotics. Once, the drug is produced after a regular check-up. Next, the drug is purified and extracted carefully following a few crucial physical processes. Finally, the drug is converted into crystal form. Later the finished drug is cut based on the required weight and packaged accordingly.
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Uses of Antibiotics
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Antibiotics are a great invention and an amazing lifesaver. It has many uses, such as-
- Some drugs are used to prevent the growth of certain microorganisms which are harmful to our livelihood. The treatment provided by these drugs is known as Microbiostatic therapy.
- Some drugs provide Microbicidal therapy which is very effective in killing harmful organisms completely.
- Doctors prescribe antibiotics to cure minor to major diseases.
- Even some antibiotics are useful for increasing our strength and providing us with the basic nutrients which are essential for our health
Example of Antibiotics
- Quinolones - Quinolones is considered to be another kind of antibiotic that possesses the ability to suppress or kill bacteria. Quinolones are made from nalidixic acid, a synthetic compound. It is considered to be the primary treatment for any bacterial treatment affecting the urinary tract. It is also quite potent for bronchitis, sinusitis and pneumonia.
- Penicillin- Surprisingly, Penicillin is an accidental discovery and the first-ever true antibiotic drug. It was discovered by a Scottish bacteriologist, Fleming in 1928. It is produced from a mold known as Penicillium Notatum. It is used to treat various bacterial infections such as Plague.
Types of Penicillin
- Penicillin VK - It is used to prevent bacterial infections such as Ear infection, throat infection, and skin infection.
- Penicillin G - Used to prevent bacterial infections which are caused by Gram-positive and Gram-negative cocci. Bacterial infections can be detrimental to our precious health, so Penicillin G is extremely useful.
Strain Improvement in Antibiotics or Drug Production
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The set of techniques that are used to modify the biological characteristics of a living organism is known as Genetic Engineering. Examples of Genetic Engineering are Recombinant DNA Technology and Microinjection. Recombinant DNA technology is a technology by which an improved genetic strain of antibiotics is produced. Such antibiotics are more effective in curing strong and difficult diseases.
Role of Antibodies in Antibiotics
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The antibody is a protective protein that protects our immune system from any foreign substance known as an antigen. Antibodies quickly recognize and combat the antigens and remove those from our bodies. Antibodies also lead to better health. Antibodies also kill those antigens and help in increasing our energy and building our strength.
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| Related Links | ||
|---|---|---|
| Microbes in Human Welfare | Sewage Treatment | Ganga Action Plan |
| Leprosy | Microbiology | Biology and Human Welfare |
| Biocontrol Agents | Microbes as biofertilizers | Microbes in industrial products |
Things to Remember
- Antibiotics is a part of CBSE class 12 Biology second term syllabus.
- It comes under Unit 8, chapter Microbes in human welfare and carries a total of 5 to 7 marks.
- Antibiotics are chemical substances that are produced from certain microorganisms to kill and combat other microorganisms which are harmful to our health.
- Antibiotics grow antibodies in our bodies which kill the antigens quickly and cure the diseases.
- Antibiotics are produced by the process of Fermentation.
- Antibiotics must be bought only when recommended and prescribed by a doctor.
- Antibiotics can cure simple illnesses such as colds and even can cure complex diseases such as crucial infections.
Previous Year Questions
- Lactobacillus mediated conversion of milk to curd results because of….[DUET 2010]
- Which one of the following is not a biofertilizer?...[DUET 2008]
- In biogas plant, the role of acidogenic bacteria is to...[MHT CET 2008]
- The yeild of Rice is increased by...[BHU UET 2006]
- Crop rotation helps in...[BHU UET 2006]
- Ethyl alcohol is commercially manufactured from….[BHU UET 2008]
- Streptomycin is obtained from….[BCECE 2010]
- Late blight of potato is caused by...[BCECE 2010]
- Bt toxin is coded by a gene named as...[CUCET 2009]
- Rat poison is obtained from...[JKCET 2010]
- Aspergillus niger is used for commercial and industrial production of...[AMUEEE 2014]
- A good example of organic fertilizer which improves phosphorus uptake is...[JKCET 2007]
- In domestic sewage, impurities in the form of suspended solids, colloidal materials and dissolved materials, are about...[AMUEEE 2012]
- Lactic acid bacteria (LAB) grow in milk and convert it to curd and also improved its nutritional quality by increasing...[AMUEEE 2012]
- Statin, a blood-cholesterol lowering agent, is commercially obtained from...[AMUEEE 2014]
Sample Questions
Ques. What are the side effects of taking Antibiotics? (1 mark)
Ans. Antibiotics are great for curing diseases but antibiotics also have various side effects. Although antibiotics are prescribed by doctors after conducting various clinical tests, some still will have side effects such as nausea, anorexia, gout, and diarrhea.
Ques. What are the different types of Antibiotics? (2 marks)
Ans. Antibiotics are classified based on a chemical substance. Some types of Antibiotics are-
- Penicillins
- Cephalosporin
- Macrolides
- Fluoroquinolones
- Sulfonamides
Ques. Who discovered Antibiotics? (1 mark)
Ans. Alexander Fleming accidentally discovered Penicillin in the year 1928. With the development of Penicillin, Antibiotics came into the world being one of the greatest inventions in the field of healthcare.
Ques. How do Antibiotics work? (1 mark)
Ans. When a person takes an antibiotic pill, the pill starts working as soon as it's in and kills the dangerous and harmful microbes and even produces antibodies in the body so that the body fights back against any further diseases.
Ques. What are Quinolones? (1 mark)
Ans. Quinolones are another kind of antibiotic that either inhibits or kills bacterias. These are extremely effective in bacterial infections in the urinary tract. It can also be used to treat sinusitis, pneumonia, and bronchitis.
Ques. Difference antibiotics and vaccines. (1 mark)
Ans. When millions of pathogens are already present in the body, antibiotics are employed to treat the infection. Vaccines, on the other hand, are used as a preventative measure. When pathogen levels are low, the antibodies they produce might act right at the start of an infection.
Ques. Why antibiotics are ineffective against viruses. (1 mark)
Ans. Antibiotics have little effect on viral infections. This is due to the fact that viruses are so basic that they rely on their host cells to carry out their functions. Antiviral medicines, in contrast to antibiotics, function by interfering with viral enzymes.
Ques. What are antibiotics used to cure? (2 marks)
Ans. Antibiotics are used to treat a variety of conditions.
Antibiotics are only used to treat specific bacterial illnesses, such as:
Whooping cough and strep throat
Antibiotics are also required to treat life-threatening bacteria-related illnesses, such as sepsis, the body's severe response to infection.
Ques. Match the microbes listed under: Column-A with the products mentioned under Column-B. (2019)
Ans. a: (iii) antibiotic
b: (iv) cyclosporin
c: (i) satin
d: (ii) ethanol
Ques. Name the microbes that help production of the following products commercially: (a) Statin (b) Citric acid (c) Penicillin (d) Butyric acid (2017)
Ans. (a) Monascus purpureus
(b) Aspergillus niger
(c) Penicillium notatum
(d) Clostridium butylicum
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