PENICILLINS Meaning and
Definition
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Penicillins are a class of antibiotics that are derived from the fungus Penicillium. They are widely used in medicine to treat various bacterial infections. Penicillins work by inhibiting the growth of bacteria or killing them altogether. They are one of the most commonly prescribed antibiotics due to their broad-spectrum effectiveness against many types of bacteria.
The mechanism of action of penicillins involves interfering with the synthesis of the bacterial cell wall, which is integral to the stability and survival of the bacteria. By blocking the enzymes responsible for cross-linking the cell wall components, penicillins weaken and eventually rupture the outer membrane of bacterial cells. This leads to the death of the bacteria and stops the infection from spreading further.
Penicillins are typically taken orally, but they can also be administered via injection for more severe infections. However, some bacteria have developed resistance to certain types of penicillins due to various mechanisms such as the production of enzymes called beta-lactamases, which break down the antibiotic. To combat this resistance, combination therapies with beta-lactamase inhibitors are used.
Although penicillin is generally well-tolerated, it can cause allergic reactions in some individuals, ranging from mild rash to severe anaphylactic shock. It is important for medical professionals to be aware of any potential allergies before prescribing penicillins.
In summary, penicillins are a group of antibiotics derived from the Penicillium fungus, widely used to treat bacterial infections by inhibiting cell wall synthesis in bacteria. They have revolutionized healthcare since their discovery in 1928 by Sir Alexander Fleming, saving countless lives.
Common Misspellings for PENICILLINS
- penecillin
- oenicillins
- lenicillins
- -enicillins
- 0enicillins
- pwnicillins
- psnicillins
- pdnicillins
- prnicillins
- p4nicillins
- p3nicillins
- pebicillins
- pemicillins
- pejicillins
- pehicillins
- penucillins
- penjcillins
- penkcillins
- penocillins
- pen9cillins
Etymology of PENICILLINS
The word "penicillins" derives from the genus name Penicillium, which refers to a group of fungi. The word Penicillium originates from the Latin term "penicillus", meaning "brush" or "tuft of hairs". This is because the fungi in this genus often have a brush-like or tufted appearance when observed under a microscope. The suffix "-in" is commonly added to the names of antibiotics to represent that they are derived from or related to a specific group or category of drugs. Therefore, "penicillins" refers to antibiotics that are derived from or have similarities to the compounds produced by Penicillium fungi.
Similar spelling words for PENICILLINS
- penicillium,
- penicillin,
- pencil case,
- penicillinase,
- pencilled,
- penicillin o,
- penicillamine,
- penicillin g,
- penicillin v,
- penicillin f,
- penciled.
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