Medical Interventions: Antibiotics

Antibiotics

Work to kill bacterial cells without harming the surrounding human cells

Penicillins

* Works on gram positive and negative bacteria by disrubting synthesis of peptidoglycan (molecule that provides the cell wall with strength)
* Cell wall becomes fragile and cells burst

Tetracyclines

Works on gram positive and negative bacteria by inhibiting protien synthesis and make it to where bacteria cannot spread/grow

Sulfonamides

Works on gram positive and negative bacteria by binding to an enzyme called Dihydropteroate resulting in competitive inhibition.

Fluorquinolones

* Inhibits one or more of a group of enzymes called topoisomerases, which maintain the supercoiling of the chromosomal DNA within the bacterial cells.
* prevents essential cell processe
* Works on both gram positive and negative bacteria