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Antibiotic is a drug that is specifically used to inhibit the growth of bacteria. |
Antibiotics are substances that are used to treat bacterial infections. Some antibiotics also act as antiprotozoal substances, which means they are effective against protozoan infections. However, no antibiotics are effective at combating viruses, hence, to curb viral infections, anti-viral drugs are used.
The origins of the term “antibiotics” can be traced back to the 1800s’ when French bacteriologist Jean Paul Vuillemin introduced the term “antibiosis”, which meant “against life”. He used this term to describe the properties of early antibacterial drugs. The actual term “antibiotics” was first used by Selman Waksman in 1942 to describe the inhibitory effects of substances produced by microorganisms to other microorganisms.
Main Article: Antibiotics
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Frequently Asked Questions on Antibiotic
Define the term Antibiotic.
An antibiotic is a substance that is used specifically to inhibit the growth of bacteria. However, these substances are ineffective against viruses.
Why are antibiotics ineffective against viruses?
In bacteria, antibiotics work by targeting the internal growth mechanisms, but since the mechanism of viruses is completely different, antibiotics are deemed ineffective.
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