question_answer

(i) What do you understand by the term, 'antibiotics'? Which was the first antibiotic to be discovered? Name the microorganism from which it was extracted?

(ii) List some important characteristics that a good antibiotic must possess.

Answer:

(i) Antibiotics are the chemical substances, produced by microbes which can kill or inhibit the growth of other infectious microorganisms.

Penicillin was the first antibiotic to be discovered. It was isolated from a mould, Penicillium notatum and it inhibits the growth of bacterium Staphylococcus.

(ii) A good antibiotic should possess following characteristics

(a) Selective toxicity It should not be toxic to all cells or organisms.

(b) Non-allergeic It should not cause allergy in patient.

(c) Solubility It should be soluble in body fluids for effective action.

(d) Less susceptibility for developing resistance It should be less susceptible for the development of resistance in target organisms.