Question

In which way have microbes played a major role in controlling diseases caused by harmful bacteria?

Answer 1

Several micro-organisms are used for preparing medicines. Antibiotics are medicines produced by certain micro-organisms to kill other disease causing micro-organisms. These medicines are commonly obtained from bacteria and fungi. They either kill or stop the growth of disease-causing micro-organisms. Streptomycin tetracycline and penicillin are common antibiotics. Penicillium notatum produces chemical penicillin which checks the growth of staphylococci bacteria in the body. Antibiotics are desinged to destroy bacteria by weakening their cell walls. As a result of this weakening certain immune cells such as the white blood cells enter the bacterial cell and cause cell lysis. Cell lysis is the process of destroying cell such as blood cells and bacteria.