Polypeptide antibiotic
Polypeptide Antibiotic
Polypeptide antibiotics (pronunciation: pol-ee-pep-tide an-ti-bi-ot-ics) are a class of antibiotics that are composed of polypeptides, which are short chains of amino acids.
Etymology
The term "polypeptide" is derived from the Greek words "poly", meaning "many", and "peptos", meaning "digested". The term "antibiotic" is derived from the Greek words "anti", meaning "against", and "bios", meaning "life".
Definition
Polypeptide antibiotics are a type of antibiotic that are made up of polypeptides. These antibiotics are typically produced by certain types of bacteria and are used to inhibit the growth of or kill other bacteria.
Examples
Some examples of polypeptide antibiotics include Bacitracin, Polymyxin B, and Colistin. These antibiotics are often used topically to treat skin infections.
Mechanism of Action
Polypeptide antibiotics work by disrupting the bacterial cell membrane, leading to cell death. They bind to the bacterial cell membrane and alter its structure, making it more permeable. This causes the cell to lose essential molecules and ions, which ultimately leads to cell death.
Related Terms
- Antibiotic resistance: The ability of bacteria to resist the effects of an antibiotic.
- Bactericidal: An agent that kills bacteria.
- Bacteriostatic: An agent that inhibits the growth of bacteria.
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on Polypeptide antibiotic
- Wikipedia's article - Polypeptide antibiotic
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