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Antibiotics And Their Role In Society - Term Papers

Antibiotics And Their Role In Society

Antibiotics have played a major role in our society thanks to Sir Alexander Fleming's careful observations in 1928. Without it, many lives would be in danger due to infectious diseases. Antibiotics are chemical substances produced by various species of microorganisms and other living systems that are capable in small concentrations of inhibiting the growth of or killing bacteria and other microorganisms. These organisms can be bacteria, viruses, fungi, or animals called protozoa. A particular group of these agents is made up of drugs called antibiotics, from the Greek word anti "against" and bios "life". Some antibiotics are produced from living organisms such as bacteria, fungi, and ...

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must be brought into contact with the bacteria.
It is believed that antibiotics interfere with the surface of bacteria cells, causing a change in their ability to reproduce. Testing the action of an antibiotic in the laboratory shows how much exposure to the drug is necessary to halt reproduction or to kill the bacteria. Although a large amount of an antibiotic taken at one time might kill the bacteria causing an illness, such a dose usually would make the person suffer from illness caused by the drug. Therefore, antibiotics are given in a series of smaller amounts. This assures that the bacteria are either killed or reduced enough in numbers so that the body can repel them. When too little antibiotic is taken, bacteria can often develop methods to protect themselves against it. The next time the antibiotic is needed against these bacteria, it will not be effective.
An antibiotic acts by limiting or stopping the growth of a specific microorganism. It probably accomplishes this by ...

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Antibiotics And Their Role In Society. (2008, August 17). Retrieved December 23, 2024, from http://www.essayworld.com/essays/Antibiotics-And-Their-Role-In-Society/88437

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PAPER DETAILS

Added: 8/17/2008 04:38:50 AM
Category: Health & Medicine
Type: Premium Paper
Words: 939
Pages: 4

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