Antibiotics are basically medications used to treat bacterial infections. The first antibiotic to be discovered and used for medical purposes is penicillin. Penicillin was discovered by Alexander Fleming, a Scottish scientist, in 1928. They work by interfering with the growth and reproduction of bacteria, ultimately killing the bacteria or inhibiting their ability to multiply. Different antibiotics may target bacteria in various ways:
Certain antibiotics, such as penicillins and cephalosporins, target bacteria by preventing the synthesis or proper formation of their cell walls. Bacterial cell walls are essential for maintaining their structural integrity, and without a functional cell wall, bacteria can burst and die.
Antibiotics like trimethoprim and sulfamethoxazole interfere with specific metabolic pathways essential for bacterial growth. They inhibit enzymes involved in key metabolic processes, such as folate synthesis, which is crucial for bacterial replication and survival.
Many antibiotics, inhibit the functioning of bacterial ribosomes, which are responsible for synthesizing proteins. By disrupting protein synthesis, these antibiotics prevent bacteria from producing essential proteins necessary for their growth and survival.
It's important to note that antibiotics are designed to target bacteria specifically and are not effective against viruses. Additionally, the effectiveness of antibiotics can vary depending on the specific type of bacteria they target and their ability to penetrate the bacterial cell.