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The Effects of Antibiotics on Bacterial Growth

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The Effects of Antibiotics on Bacterial Growth

Biology II 1996

Bacteria are the most common and ancient microorganisms on earth. Most bacteria are microscopic, measuring 1 micron in length. However, colonies of bacteria grown in a laboratory petri dish can be seen with the unaided eye.

There are many divisions and classifications of bacteria that assist in identifying them. The first two types of bacteria are archaebacteria and eubacteria. Both groups have common ancestors dating to more than 3 billion years ago. Archaebacteria live in environments where, because of the high temperature, no other life can grow. These environments include hot springs and areas of volcanic activity. They contain lipids but lack certain chemicals …show more content…

This antibiotic acts by limiting normal protein synthesis.
Streptomycin is effective against E. Coli, gram-negative bacilli, as well as many cocci.

Neomycin an antibiotic derived from a strain of Streptomyces fradiae.
Neomycin effectively destroys a wide range of bacteria.

Kanamycin an antibiotic substance derived from Streptomyces kanamycetius. Its antibacterial action is very similar to that of neomycin. Kanamycin works against many aerobic gram-positive and gram-negative bacteria, especially E. coli. Protracted use may result in auditory as well as other damages.

Erythromycin is an antibiotic produced by a strain of Streptomyces erythreaus. This antibiotic works by inhibiting protein synthesis but not nucleic synthesis. Erythromycin has inhibitory effects on gram-negative cocci as well as some gram-positive bacteria.

Chloramphenicol is a clinically useful antibiotic in combating serious infections caused by certain bacteria in place of potentially hazardous means of solving the problem. In lab tests, it has been shown that this medicine stopped bacterial reproduction in a wide range of both gram-positive and gram-negative bacteria. The inhibition of cell reproduction caused by Chloramphenicol takes place through interference with protein synthesis.

An experiment was conducted in order to determine which antibiotics are most effective in inhibiting bacterial growth. First, the different bacteria were placed on agar

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