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 biochemical substances produced by certain microorganisms, such as bacteria and fungi, primarily to give them a competitive advantage over other microorganisms in their environment. The primary function of antibiotics is to inhibit the growth of other microorganisms. They achieve this by interfering with essential processes within the target microorganisms, such as protein synthesis, cell wall formation, or nucleic acid synthesis. This inhibition prevents the proliferation and survival of competing microorganisms, creating a more favorable environment for the antibiotic-producing organism.

Therefore, the correct answer to the question is: Inhibit the growth of other microorganisms.