Introduction to Biochemistry and Metabolism, 1/e

CHAPTER 13

ANTIBIOTICS

Concept outline

• Introduction
• Penicillin
• Streptomycin
• Chloramphenicol
• Tetracycline

INTRODUCTION

Antibiosis is a process in which one organism may destroy another to survive.

The term antibiotic was first of all introduced by Vuillemin in 1889.

‘Antibiotic is a chemical substance produced by or derived from living cells which are capable, in small concentrations, of inhibiting the life process or even destroying the microorganisms.’

CLASSIFICATION OF ANTIBIOTICS

Antibiotics can be classified in diff erent ways.

First Classification

The broad classification of antibiotics divides them into the following two types.

Broad spectrum antibiotics

These include those antibiotics which may be used as curative agents against several ...