Question

Antibiotics are substances produced by microorganisms to

• A. Inhibit the growth of other microorganisms
• B. Enhance the growth of other microorganisms
• C. Act as nutrients for other microorganisms
• D. Regulate microbial metabolism

Hint:

• Antibiotics are antimicrobial agents produced by microorganisms.
• They are effective against other microorganisms (usually bacteria, sometimes fungi).
• Their primary action is to kill (bactericidal/fungicidal) or inhibit the growth (bacteriostatic/fungistatic) of susceptible microbes.
• Used extensively in medicine to treat infections.

Answer 1

The Correct Option is A

Antibiotics are a class of antimicrobial substances, typically produced by microorganisms (like bacteria and fungi), that in low concentrations can inhibit the growth of or kill other microorganisms. Their primary ecological role is thought to be in microbial warfare or competition, allowing the producing organism to gain an advantage over other microbes in its environment. Let's analyze the options: (a) "Inhibit the growth of other microorganisms": This is the defining characteristic and primary function of antibiotics. They target essential processes in susceptible microbes, such as cell wall synthesis, protein synthesis, DNA replication, or metabolic pathways. (b) "Enhance the growth of other microorganisms": This is the opposite of what antibiotics do. (c) "Act as nutrients for other microorganisms": While some microbes can degrade antibiotics, antibiotics themselves are not primarily produced as general nutrients. (d) "Regulate microbial metabolism": While some microbial products might regulate metabolism, antibiotics are specifically known for their inhibitory or cidal effects on other microbes. Therefore, antibiotics are substances produced by microorganisms primarily to inhibit the growth of (or kill) other microorganisms. \[ \boxed{\text{Inhibit the growth of other microorganisms}} \]