Question

Which is false about antibiotics?

• A. Some persons develop allergy to antibiotics
• B. Antibiotics are capable of curing any disease
• C. Antibiotics are produced by microorganisms
• D. The term was coined by Waksman in 1942

Answer 1

The correct option is B Antibiotics are capable of curing any disease

Definition of antibiotic :
Antibiotics are the chemical substances produced by microbes that can either kill or inhibit the growth of other disease-causing microbes.

Discovery :
The first antibiotic was discovered by Alexander Fleming and the name antibiotic was coined by Selman Waksman in the year 1942.

Mode of action :
Antibiotics usually act against bacteria by either inhibiting their cell wall synthesis or by inhibiting certain metabolic reactions (protein synthesis, nucleic acid synthesis etc.). This either restricts bacterial growth (bacteriostatic antibiotics) or kills them (bactericidal antibiotics).

Significance :
Antibiotics cure most of the diseases that are bacterial in origin. Viral infections like common cold, chicken pox cannot be cured with antibiotics as viruses do not have cell walls and metabolic machinery of their own.

Side effects :
About 1 in 15 people have side effects to antibiotics, especially cephalosporins and penicillin. The symptoms of allergic reactions are characterised by skin rashes, itchiness etc.

Final answer :
(B) Antibiotics are capable of curing any disease