Antibiotics

It was on a shortcut through the hospital kitchens that Albert was first approached by a member of the Antibiotic Resistance

What are Antibiotics? Penicillium Mold A chemical that inhibits the growth of bacteria. Block cellular processes that occur in prokaryotes, but not eukaryotes (so can be used safely by humans). Many come from fungi which compete with bacteria for dead matter to feed on. Others have been made in the lab. Penicillium Mold

How do Antibiotics work? Some disrupt the peptidoglycan cross links in the bacterial cell walls. This causes the bacteria to shed their cell wall.

How do Antibiotics work? Others disrupt the Phospholipid membrane. These are used as a last resort, because they can be toxic to human cells.

How do Antibiotics work? Some classes of antibiotic interfere with bacterial protein synthesis. They do this by binding to the 30s or 50s ribosomal subunits preventing tRNA from binding to create the amino-acid chain.

How do Antibiotics work? Finally others bind to essential bacterial enzymes, causing them to change shape and no longer bind to their substrate.

Viruses aren’t affected by antibiotics. Why? Discuss in your table groups.

Viruses aren’t affected by antibiotics. Viruses don’t have: Cell walls Bacterial enzymes Ribosomes Cell membranes with a phospholipid bilayer.

Click here for the video Alexander Fleming and the discovery of penicillin Click here for the video

Florey & Chain test Penicillin Click here for the video