Chapter 10 Study Guide: Controlling Microbial Growth in the Body - Antimicrobial Drugs

These flashcards cover key terms and concepts from the chapter on controlling microbial growth in the body through antimicrobial drugs.

Antibiotic

Substances produced naturally by microorganisms that inhibit or kill other microorganisms.

Selective toxicity

The ability of a drug to target features of microbes that differ from human cells, minimizing harm to the host.

Broad-spectrum antibiotics

Antibiotics that are effective against a wide range of bacteria.

Narrow-spectrum antibiotics

Antibiotics that are effective against specific types of bacteria.

Bactericidal

Antimicrobial agents that kill bacteria.

Bacteriostatic

Antimicrobial agents that inhibit the growth of bacteria.

Paul Ehrlich

Developed the concept of selective toxicity and created Salvarsan for syphilis.

Alexander Fleming

Discovered penicillin, the first natural antibiotic.

Gerhard Domagk

Discovered sulfa drugs, the first widely used antimicrobial.

Peptidoglycan

A polymer consisting of sugars and amino acids that forms a structural component of bacterial cell walls.

Cell Wall Inhibitors

Antibiotics that interfere with peptidoglycan synthesis, causing cell lysis.

Cell Membrane Disruptors

Antibiotics that damage membrane integrity or permeability.

Protein Synthesis Inhibitors

Antibiotics that target bacterial ribosomes and interfere with translation.

Nucleic Acid Synthesis Inhibitors

Antibiotics that interfere with DNA or RNA replication.

Metabolic Pathway Inhibitors

Antibiotics that block essential metabolic reactions via competitive inhibition.