"Antimicrobic" is a broad term used for any compound that . While often used interchangeably with "antibiotic," there are key distinctions:
Antimicrobics work by targeting essential biological processes in microbes that are absent or different in human cells. The five primary targets in bacteria include:
: Antibiotic-impregnated discs are placed on a bacterial "lawn." The resulting Zone of Inhibition (the clear area where no growth occurs) is measured to categorize the organism as Sensitive (S) , Intermediate (I) , or Resistant (R) . antimicrobic
: Inhibiting the "unzipping" of DNA for replication. Metabolic enzymes : Blocking pathways like folate synthesis.
: Stopping the creation of vital enzymes and structures. "Antimicrobic" is a broad term used for any compound that
Exercise #31: Antimicrobic Sensitivity Testing: The Kirby-Bauer Method
Testing is used to determine which specific antimicrobic will be effective against a particular pathogen. Common methods include: : Inhibiting the "unzipping" of DNA for replication
: Disrupting the structure that protects the bacteria.