Antibiotic Spectrum of Activity Quiz

What is the primary mode of action for penicillins?

Which antibiotic class is specified for inhibition of protein synthesis?

Which antibiotic is effective against Mycobacteria?

What type of bacteria do aminoglycosides, like streptomycin, primarily target?

Which of the following drugs is used to treat infections caused by viruses?

Antibiotic Spectrum of Activity

Antibiotics target different types of organisms.
Table shows the spectrum of activity, including prokaryotes (bacteria), eukaryotes (fungi, protozoa, helminths, viruses), and more.
Mycobacteria are targeted by isoniazid.
Gram-negative bacteria are targeted by streptomycin.
Gram-positive bacteria are targeted by penicillin.
Chlamydiae and Rickettsiae are targeted by tetracycline.
Fungi are targeted by ketoconazole.

No Antibiotic Targets All Microbes

No antibiotic works against all microbes.
This is noted as a key limitation.

Modes of Antimicrobial Action

Antibiotics interfere with various microbial processes.
Bacteria cell wall synthesis is inhibited by penicillins, cephalosporins, bacitracin, and vancomycin.
Protein synthesis is inhibited by chloramphenicol, erythromycin, tetracyclines, and streptomycin.
Nucleic acid replication and transcription are inhibited by quinolones, and rifampin.
Plasma membrane injury is caused by polymyxin B.
Essential metabolites' synthesis is affected by sulfanilamide and trimethoprim.

Test your knowledge on the spectrum of activity of antibiotics and their modes of antimicrobial action. This quiz covers various antibiotics and their specific targets among bacteria, fungi, and viruses, highlighting important limitations in antibiotic effectiveness. Explore the mechanisms through which antibiotics operate in microbial processes.