2 Antibiotics
Antibiotics are chemicals which kill bacteria, that is they are
Narrow spectrum antibiotics affect only a few bacterial types. Broad spectrum antibiotics affect a wider range of bacteria.
ITQ _unit2.2.1
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In Section 1 you learned about the different phases of bacterial growth. Most antibiotics target the exponential phase of growth. Can you suggest a reason for this?
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The exponential phase is when bacterial cells are at their most active, continually growing, dividing and forming new cells. The various metabolic processes which underpin this period of growth – such as the synthesis of DNA/RNA, proteins and the cell wall – are good opportunities for antibiotics to disrupt and/or kill cells.
You will learn how antibiotics work in Week 2.