Antibiotic Action and Resistance

A collection of flashcards covering terminology, mechanisms, and implications related to antibiotic action and resistance for review and study.

Antimicrobial

A compound that acts against microorganisms by stopping their growth or killing them.

Selective Toxicity

The ability of a drug to harm pathogens without harming the host.

Bacteriostatic

Antimicrobial agents that inhibit bacterial growth without killing the bacteria.

Bactericidal

Antimicrobial agents that kill bacteria.

Prophylactic Use

Use of antimicrobial drugs to prevent infections in healthy individuals during high-risk situations.

Metaphylactic Use

Control of infection spread in a group of animals, treating all at-risk individuals.

Antibiotic Resistance

When bacteria change and become resistant to antibiotics used to treat infections.

Efficacy of Antimicrobials

The ability of an antimicrobial to achieve therapeutic concentrations at the site of infection.

Ribosome

Cell structure that is the target for many protein synthesis inhibitors; differs between bacteria and eukaryotes.

Fluoroquinolones

A class of antibiotics that are bactericidal by inhibiting DNA replication.

Cell Wall Synthesis Inhibitors

Antimicrobials that disrupt the construction of the bacterial cell wall.

Polymyxins

Antimicrobials that disrupts membranes of Gram-negative bacteria, leading to cell death.

Sulfonamides

Antimicrobials that inhibit bacterial folic acid metabolism.

Aminoglycosides

A class of antibiotics that inhibit protein synthesis and cause misreading of mRNA.

Horizontal Gene Transfer

The process by which bacteria can acquire resistance genes from other organisms.

Biofilm Formation

A strategy used by bacteria to avoid antimicrobial action by forming a protective layer.

Intrinsically Resistant

Bacteria that are naturally resistant to certain antimicrobials due to their inherent characteristics.

Genetic Mechanisms of Resistance

Mechanisms by which bacteria develop resistance, including mutations and horizontal gene transfer.

Antibacterial Spectrum

The range of bacteria that an antimicrobial agent can effectively target.