Kendyll Johnson

Antibiotics

The word antibiotic comes from the Greek anti meaning ‘against’ and bios meaning ‘life’. Antibiotics are medicinal products that have an anti-bacterial effect. Meaning that they either kill bacteria in the system or keep them from reproducing, allowing the infected body to heal by producing its own defenses and overcome the infection. There are many different types of antibiotics. Such as penicillins, amoxicillin, levaquin, etc. Behind every antibiotic is the chemistry that allows it to work the way it does.

When penicillins were first discovered their structures were hard uncertain. With new technology, it has been established. Once at the plasma membrane, the penicillin binds to other proteins involved in cell wall synthesis and blocks interaction with bacteria. It is thought that the glycopeptide transpeptidase needed for the final step of the cross-linking is inactivated due to the structural similarity of the amido carbonyl group next to where the natural tetrapeptide chain with the carbonyl group of the beta-lactam unit of penicillin ends. The final step of cross linking is believed to occure when a serine hydroxal of the chemical reactions attacks the carbonyl group  next to the end of a tetrapeptide chain and displaces the terminal alanine.

 Cancer occurs when abnormal cells duplicate at an uncontrollable rate and invade various tissues in other parts of the body. Physicians carefully perscribe antibiotics to avoid allergic reactions. Antibiotics are also used when undergoing surgery to prevent infection. If antibiotics were not used, bacteria during surgery to remove tumors could invade the bloodstream and infect other areas of the body. Antibiotics used as a prophylaxis boosts cancer patients with compromised immune systems during surgery or chemotherapy. Antibiotics used to treat cancer are normally bacteriostatic stops bacteria from multiplying. 

Just like humans, dogs are especially susceptible to bacterial infections in different parts of the body. Antiobiotics also come in handy for dog infections. Many types of antibiotics are used to treat dogs. Most of which are also trusted for humans. hey also work in very similar if not the same way. Such as Gentamicin. Gentamicin is commonly used for the treatment of pneumonia, conjunctivitis, ear infections, and open wound infections. It is part of the cephalosporin class. It is a bacttericidal. Some are used to interfere with the formation of the bacterium’s cell wall, causing it to collapse and the antibiotics slowly attack on the bacteria. Other scenarios, it attacks the cell contents and prevents the bacteria from reproducing. 

All in all, antibiotics are a very positive discovery for the world. Infections and allergic reactions are faced everyday. From kids, to cancer patients, to adults, and even animals. No matter who or what you are, a single immune system can not handle everything on it’s own. Antibiotics handles the infections and reactions that are too much for an immune system to handle.

BIBLIOGRAPHY PAGE

bibliographies

Harmon, Jane. “What are Antibiotics?.” Wise geek. Conjecture Corporation , 28 F. Web. 14 May 2012. <http://www.wisegeek.com/what-are-antibiotics.htm>.

 ”Antibiotics: types and side effects.” Antibiotics: Types and side effects. N.p., 2007. Web. 14 May 2012. <http://www.emedexpert.com/classes/antibiotics.shtml>.

Nordqvist, C.. “What Are Antibiotics-How Do Antibiotics Work.” Medical news today. MediLexicon International Ltd, 2009. Web. 14 May 2012. <http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/10278.php>.

familydoctor.org Editorial Staff, . “Antibiotics: When They Can and Can’t Help.” Familydoctor.org. N.p., 2010. Web. 15 May 2012. <http://familydoctor.org/familydoctor/en/drugs-procedures-devices/prescription-medicines/antibiotics-when-they-can-and-cant-help.html>.