The Search for Wonder Drugs: Antibiotics

A set of vocabulary flashcards based on the lecture notes covering the history, types, and mechanisms of antibiotics, their resistance, and the historical context of antiseptics.

Antibiotics

Medications used to treat infections caused by bacteria.

Otzi Ice Man

A 5000-year-old mummified individual found with mushrooms that have antibiotic properties.

Pseudomonas aeruginosa

A type of bacteria known for producing pyocyanin, one of the first antibiotics isolated.

Penicillium

A genus of fungi that produces penicillin, the first widely-used antibiotic.

Penicillin G

The most effective form of penicillin found in early antibiotic research.

Streptomycin

The first antibiotic discovered by Selman Waksman that is effective against tuberculosis.

Antibiotic resistance

A phenomenon where bacteria evolve to resist the effects of antibiotics.

Gram-positive bacteria

Bacteria that have a thick peptidoglycan cell wall, making them susceptible to certain antibiotics.

Gram-negative bacteria

Bacteria that have a thin peptidoglycan layer and an outer membrane, often more resistant to antibiotics.

Selection pressure

The environmental factors that contribute to the survival and reproduction of resistant strains of bacteria.

Multi-drug resistant tuberculosis (MDR-TB)

A form of tuberculosis that is resistant to at least isoniazid and rifampicin, the two most effective first-line treatments.

Antiseptics

Substances that prevent the growth of disease-causing microorganisms, often used in medical settings.

Berberine

A compound derived from the plant Arcangelisia flava, used as a germicide.

Antibacterial food additives

Natural or synthetic substances added to food to prevent bacterial growth.

Bald's Best Medicine

An 1100-year-old recipe comprised of garlic, onion, red wine, and ox gall, effective against Staphylococcus aureus.

Antimicrobial properties

The ability of substances (like plants) to kill or inhibit the growth of microorganisms.

Antibiotic discovery

The process of identifying and isolating substances that inhibit bacterial growth or kill bacteria.

Inhibition of bacterial growth

The ability of an antibiotic to prevent bacteria from multiplying.

Broad-spectrum antibiotics

Antibiotics that are effective against a wide range of bacteria, both Gram-positive and Gram-negative.

Narrow-spectrum antibiotics

Antibiotics that target specific types of bacteria, minimizing impact on beneficial flora.

Synergistic effects

A phenomenon where the combination of two or more antibiotics enhances their effectiveness beyond the sum of their individual effects.