Mode of action of antibiotics

Date
1951
DOI
Authors
Ingall, Manuel
Version
OA Version
Citation
Abstract
An antibiotic is an organic substance produced by a living organism which inhibits the growth of or kills some other living organism. Two of the more important antibiotics that have been studied are penicillin and streptomycin. Although three structural formulae for penicillin have been presented, this antibiotic is generally thought of as a ring condensation of two amino acids: alanine and betadimethylcysteine. The various penicillins differ in the substituent acid group coupled to the alanine amino group. Most investigators agree that penicillin produces striking and bizarre changes in the shape and size of various bacteria. The presence of elongated and swollen cells suggests the idea that growth takes place, but fission fails to follow. Other cultures contain cells which show a tendency to change from the normal three-dimensional colonies to the formation of "streptococcus-like" and "diplococcus-like" structures [TRUNCATED].
Description
Thesis (M.A.)--Boston University
License
Based on investigation of the BU Libraries' staff, this work is free of known copyright restrictions.