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Questions and Answers
Who discovered penicillin?
What is the main mechanism of action of penicillin?
What type of antibiotics are penicillins and cephalosporins classified as?
What is a key difference between cephalosporins and penicillins?
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What is the name of the fungus from which cephalosporins were developed?
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In what year was the first generation of cephalosporins introduced?
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Study Notes
Penicillin
Discovery
- Discovered by Alexander Fleming in 1928
- Found that mold Penicillium notatum inhibited bacterial growth
Mechanism of Action
- Inhibits bacterial cell wall synthesis
- Binds to penicillin-binding proteins, inhibiting transpeptidase activity
- Causes bacterial cell lysis and death
Classification
- Beta-lactam antibiotics
- Divided into:
- Natural penicillins (penicillin G, penicillin V)
- Semi-synthetic penicillins (ampicillin, amoxicillin)
- Extended-spectrum penicillins (piperacillin, ticarcillin)
Cephalosporin
Discovery
- Developed from Cephalosporium acremonium fungus
- First generation introduced in 1948
Mechanism of Action
- Similar to penicillin, inhibiting bacterial cell wall synthesis
- Binds to penicillin-binding proteins, inhibiting transpeptidase activity
- Causes bacterial cell lysis and death
Classification
- Beta-lactam antibiotics
- Divided into:
- First generation (cephalothin, cephalexin)
- Second generation (cefuroxime, cefaclor)
- Third generation (cefotaxime, ceftazidime)
- Fourth generation (cefepime)
- Fifth generation (ceftaroline)
Key Differences
- Cephalosporins have a wider spectrum of activity than penicillins
- Cephalosporins are more resistant to beta-lactamase enzymes
- Cephalosporins have a longer half-life than penicillins
Penicillin
Discovery
- Alexander Fleming discovered penicillin in 1928
- Found that mold Penicillium notatum inhibited bacterial growth
Mechanism of Action
- Inhibits bacterial cell wall synthesis by binding to penicillin-binding proteins
- Prevents transpeptidase activity, leading to bacterial cell lysis and death
Classification
- Beta-lactam antibiotics
- Classified into natural, semi-synthetic, and extended-spectrum penicillins
- Examples include penicillin G, penicillin V, ampicillin, and amoxicillin
Cephalosporin
Discovery
- Developed from Cephalosporium acremonium fungus
- First generation introduced in 1948
Mechanism of Action
- Inhibits bacterial cell wall synthesis by binding to penicillin-binding proteins
- Prevents transpeptidase activity, leading to bacterial cell lysis and death
Classification
- Beta-lactam antibiotics
- Classified into five generations, each with a broader spectrum of activity
- Examples include cephalexin, cefuroxime, cefotaxime, ceftazidime, and cefepime
Key Differences
- Cephalosporins have a broader spectrum of activity than penicillins
- Cephalosporins are more resistant to beta-lactamase enzymes
- Cephalosporins have a longer half-life than penicillins
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Description
Learn about the discovery of penicillin by Alexander Fleming, its mechanism of action, and classification into different types of beta-lactam antibiotics.
