Antibiotics Overview

A substance, often produced by microorganisms, that at low concentrations inhibits the growth of other microorganisms.

A chemical that kills or inhibits the growth of microorganisms.

A type of antibiotic that directly kills bacteria.

A type of antibiotic that prevents bacteria from multiplying.

A protective layer in bacterial cell walls made of chains of N-acetylmuramic acid (NAM) and N-acetylglucosamine (NAG).

An enzyme that breaks down the cross-links in peptidoglycan, weakening the cell wall.

An important bacterial enzyme that builds cross-links in peptidoglycan.

A chemical group found in many antibiotics, including penicillin and cephalosporins.

A group of antibiotics that kill bacteria by interfering with protein production.

Aminoglycosides bind to the 16S rRNA site on the 30S subunit of the ribosome.

Aminoglycosides block translation by causing misreading or hindering translocation.

A group of broad-spectrum antibiotics that inhibit bacterial growth by preventing protein synthesis.

Tetracyclines interfere with codon-anticodon interactions between tRNA and mRNA.

A broad-spectrum antibiotic that inhibits bacterial growth by blocking peptide elongation.

Chloramphenicol binds to the peptidyl transferase component of the 50S ribosome.

A group of antibiotics that inhibit bacterial growth by blocking peptide elongation.

Penicillins target a crucial step in bacterial cell wall formation, preventing the formation of cross-links between peptidoglycan chains. This disruption weakens the bacterial cell wall, making it vulnerable and leading to the bacterial cell's demise.

Vancomycin directly targets and binds to D-Ala-D-Ala, a critical building block for peptidoglycans. This binding prevents the formation of new peptidoglycan units, effectively halting bacterial cell wall growth and leading to cell death.

Cycloserine interferes with the synthesis of D-Ala-D-Ala, an essential ingredient for peptidoglycan construction. By blocking this early step in peptidoglycan creation, cycloserine disrupts the formation of new bacterial cell walls.

Bacitracin disrupts the transport of key components needed for bacterial cell wall formation. This disruption prevents the assembly of peptidoglycans, leading to cell wall instability and bacterial death.

The bacterial cell membrane is a crucial barrier regulating the flow of substances in and out of the cell. Antibacterial agents like Polymixin B and Colistin directly attack the cell membrane, disrupting its integrity and causing leakage of essential cellular components, leading to cell death.

Protein synthesis is fundamental for bacterial survival. Many antibacterial agents target the bacterial ribosomes, which are crucial for protein production. By binding to either the 30S or 50S ribosomal subunits, these agents interfere with protein synthesis, disrupting cellular processes and leading to cell death or growth inhibition.

Antibiotics that target protein synthesis often bind to specific ribosomal subunits, either the 30S or 50S subunit. This binding disrupts the normal function of the ribosome, preventing or altering protein production, ultimately leading to cell death or inhibition of bacterial growth.

A group of antibiotics that inhibit protein synthesis by targeting the 50S subunit of the bacterial ribosome.

These antibiotics inhibit protein synthesis by interfering with the 50S subunit of the bacterial ribosome and also inhibit the initiation of peptide chain formation.

This antibiotic inhibits protein synthesis by interfering with the 30S subunit of bacterial ribosomes.

A broad-spectrum bacteriostatic antibiotic that inhibits folic acid synthesis, essential for bacterial growth.

A group of antibacterial agents that inhibit DNA gyrase, an enzyme essential for DNA replication in bacteria.

A broad-spectrum antibiotic that inhibits RNA synthesis by binding to the β subunit of bacterial RNA polymerase.

These antibiotics are designed to stay in the gastrointestinal tract. Some are absorbed and penetrate tissues.

These antibiotics are absorbed by the gastrointestinal tract and penetrate tissues.