Question

In terms of their modes of action at a molecular level, antibiotics, antibacterial agents and antimicrobial agents can be classified into several groups. Give the classifications involved and for each category, an example (its common name or molecular structure) of a relevant compound.

Answer 1

Antibiotic classification

According to the type of action anti-biotics can be classified into two classes:-

Bactericidal antibodies: they kill bacteria by inhibiting cell wall synthesis. example- beta-lactum antibiotics(penicillin derivatives)

Bacteriostatic antibodies: they inhibit the growth of bacteria by interfering with dna replication protein production and other cellular metabolism. they work together with the immune system to remove microorganism from the body. example- tetracyclines

Antibacterial agents

They are classified into 3 main groups:-

Inhibition of cell wall synthesis: they suppress the bacterial growth by inhibiting cell wall synthesis. example- penicillin, cephalosporins

Inhibition of protein synthesis: they supress the bacterial growth by inhibiting cellular protein synthesis. example- aminoglycosides, macrolids

Inhibition of bacterial nucleic acid synthesis: they supress the bacterial growth by inhibiting bacterial nucleic acid synthesis. example- rifampicin, quinolones.

Antimicrobial agents

They are classified into 4 categories:-

Cell wall inhibitors: example- beta-lactam drugs

Protein biosynthesis inhibitors: example- tetracyclibnes

DNA synthesis inhibitors: example- 4-quinolones

RNA synthesis inhibitors: example- rifampicin