Pharmacology: Antibacterial Drugs

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Questions and Answers

What do bactericidal drugs typically do to bacteria?

Increase their resistance

Kill or destroy them (correct)

Limit their growth and proliferation

Enhance their function

What is the mechanism of action of polymyxin antibiotics?

Inhibiting bacterial DNA/RNA function

Inhibiting bacterial protein synthesis

Disrupting the phospholipid bilayer of the bacterial cell membrane (correct)

Inhibiting bacterial cell wall synthesis and function

What is the primary mechanism of action of penicillins?

Inhibiting bacterial DNA/RNA function

Inhibiting bacterial cell wall synthesis and function (correct)

Disrupting the phospholipid bilayer of the bacterial cell membrane

Inhibiting bacterial protein synthesis

What is the function of peptidoglycans in bacterial cell walls?

Providing structural integrity to the cell wall Signup and view all the answers

What is the difference between bactericidal and bacteriostatic activity?

Bactericidal drugs kill bacteria, while bacteriostatic drugs limit their growth and proliferation Signup and view all the answers

What is the origin of penicillin?

Derived from a mold colony of the Penicillium fungus Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is NOT a mechanism of action of antibacterial drugs?

Enhancement of bacterial DNA/RNA function Signup and view all the answers

What factor can influence the activity of erythromycin?

Dosage Signup and view all the answers

What is the typical size range of bacterial cells in diameter?

0.8 to 15.0 um Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary function of bacterial cell wall?

To provide structural support and shape to the cell Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is NOT a characteristic of bacterial cells?

Presence of chloroplasts Signup and view all the answers

How do bacteria obtain nutrients?

By invading human tissues to gain access to nutrients Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary role of normal immunologic responses in the body?

To deal with bacteria that enter the body Signup and view all the answers

What is the characteristic feature of Bacillus that causes tuberculosis?

Acid-fast bacillus Signup and view all the answers

What is the characteristic of broad-spectrum antibacterial agents?

Effective against many types of bacteria Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary difference between broad-spectrum agents and specific antibacterial agents?

Broad-spectrum agents are effective against many types of bacteria, while specific agents are effective against only one type Signup and view all the answers

What is the reason for tetracyclines causing discoloration of teeth in children and pregnant women?

Because of the tetracycline-calcium interaction Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following antibacterial drugs inhibits bacterial nucleic acid synthesis by inhibiting the production of folic acid?

Sulfonamides Signup and view all the answers

What is the mechanism of resistance to beta-lactam drugs, such as penicillins and cephalosporins?

Production of beta-lactamase enzyme Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following antibacterial drugs must bind to membrane proteins, intracellular proteins, ribosomes, and the like to exert their effect?

Penicillins, aminoglycosides, and vancomycin Signup and view all the answers

What is the adverse effect of tetracyclines on teeth?

Discoloration Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following antibacterial drugs is an example of a fluoroquinolone?

Ciprofloxacin Signup and view all the answers

What is the mechanism of action of sulfonamides?

Inhibition of folic acid production Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is NOT a mechanism of bacterial resistance to antibacterial drugs?

Production of antibacterial proteins Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Antibacterial Drugs

Patient tolerance, bacterial resistance, and physician preference influence the selection of a particular drug for a particular condition.
Bactericidal drugs kill or destroy bacteria, while bacteriostatic drugs limit the growth and proliferation of bacteria.

Mechanisms of Antibacterial Drugs

Inhibition of bacterial cell wall synthesis and function
Inhibition of bacterial protein synthesis
Inhibition of bacterial DNA/RNA function

Inhibition of Bacterial Cell Wall Synthesis and Function

Penicillin and cephalosporins inhibit bacterial cell wall synthesis by inhibiting peptidoglycan production.
Polymyxin antibiotics (polyfex, polymyxin B, colistin) disrupt the phospholipid bilayer, creating gaps in the bacterial cell membrane.

Bacterial Structure and Function

Bacteria are unicellular microorganisms with a rigid cell wall, no true nuclear membrane, and basic subcellular organelles.
They depend on a nourishing medium to provide metabolic substrates.

Pathogenic Effects of Bacteria

Bacterial infections can be harmful to host organisms by competing for essential nutrients and releasing toxic substances.
Certain bacteria inhibit the growth of other microorganisms and assist in digestion and nutrient synthesis.

Bacterial Nomenclature and Classification

Bacteria are named according to their genus and species, with names in italic typeface.
Examples include Escherichia coli and Streptococcus pyogenes.
Classification is based on shape, histologic staining, and other characteristics.

Spectrum of Antibacterial Activity

Broad-spectrum agents, such as tetracycline, are effective against many types of bacteria.
Narrow-spectrum agents, such as isoniazid, are specific to a particular bacterium, such as Mycobacterium tuberculosis.

Inhibition of Bacterial DNA/RNA Synthesis and Function

Fluoroquinolones (e.g., ciprofloxacin, levofloxacin) and sulfonamides inhibit bacterial nucleic acid synthesis by inhibiting folic acid production.
Folic acid is essential for bacterial nucleic acid synthesis and amino acid production.

Resistance to Antibacterial Drugs

Bacterial resistance can occur due to enzymatic destruction of the antibacterial drug, modification or masking of the drug's binding site, or reduced drug penetration into the bacterial cell.

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Description

This quiz covers the factors that influence the selection of antibacterial drugs, including patient tolerance, bacterial resistance, and physician preference. It also explores the differences between bactericidal and bacteriostatic activities.