Glossary
Saturday, 20 April 2024, 3:45 PM
Site: Open Learning
Course: Understanding antibiotic resistance (UAR_1)
Glossary: Glossary
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acidificationThe process of becoming more acidic. |
acquired resistanceResistance to an antibiotic to which a bacterium is innately susceptible. It occurs when a bacterium acquires the ability to resist the actions of a particular antibiotic through either genetic mutation or horizontal gene transfer. |
amino acidThe individual unit from which proteins are constructed. |
aminoglycoside antibioticsA class of antibiotics containing an amino sugar that targets protein synthesis, e.g. streptomycin. |
amino sugarA sugar molecule in which a hydroxyl (-OH) group is replaced by an amine (-NH2) group. |
antagonistsSubstances that interfere with a physiological process. |
antibiotic pipelineNovel antibiotics that are newly discovered or in the development phase before being approved for clinical use. |
antibiotic prophylaxisThe use of antibiotics as a precaution to prevent, rather than treat, an infection. |
antibiotic resistanceThe ability of bacteria to resist the action of antibiotics so that they survive exposure to antibiotics that would normally kill them or stop their growth. |
antibodiesProteins found in blood that are produced as an immune defence against foreign agents. |