Chapter #14: Antimicrobial Drugs Flashcards
Use of antimicrobials in ancient Societies
-There’s evidence that humans have been exposed to antimicrobial compounds for millennia, not just in the last century
-Antimicrobial properties of certain plants were also recognized by various cultures
First Antimicrobial Drugs
chemotherapeutic agent or drug
any chemical agent used in medical practice
antibiotic agent
usually considered to be a chemical substance made by a microorganism that can inhibit the growth or kill microorganisms
antimicrobic or antimicrobial agent
a chemical substance similar to an antibiotic, but may be synthetic
Antibiotic
usually one bacterial target; e.g. a key bacterial enzyme is blocked
Antimicrobial
a broad term but often can mean multiple targets; e.g. membranes and DNA