Articles
Cephalosporins are the most frequently prescribed
class of antibiotics. Cephalosporins are bactericidal
agents, which means that they kill bacteria. They have
the same mode of action as as penicillins. All bacterial
cells have a cell wall that protects them. Cephalosporins
disrupt the synthesis of the peptidoglycan layer of
bacterial cell walls, which causes the walls to break
down and eventually the bacteria die.
What are Antibiotics?
The word "antibiotics" comes from the Greek
anti ("against") and bios ("life").
Antibiotics are drugs that either destroy bacteria
or prevent their reproduction. Antibiotics that kill
bacteria are called "bactericidal" and the
ones that stop the growth of bacteria are called "bacteriostatic". |
