Question

The chemical substances produced by some microbes which can kill or retard the growth of other microbes are known as:

• A. Statins
• B. Streptokinases
• C. Cyclosporins
• D. Antibiotics

Hint:

Antibiotics revolutionized medicine by providing effective treatments for bacterial infections.

Answer 1

The Correct Option is D

The chemical substances produced by microbes that kill or inhibit other microbes are known as Antibiotics.

(A) Statins - Incorrect: These are cholesterol-lowering drugs produced by fungi.

(B) Streptokinases - Incorrect: These are clot-dissolving enzymes, not antimicrobials.

(C) Cyclosporins - Incorrect: These are immunosuppressants used in organ transplants.

(D) Antibiotics - Correct: Substances like penicillin specifically target microbial growth.

The correct answer is (D) Antibiotics, first discovered by Alexander Fleming from Penicillium fungus.

Answer 2

Antibiotics are substances produced by certain microorganisms (like fungi or bacteria) that inhibit or kill the growth of other microbes. They are commonly used in medicine to treat infections.

• Statins are used to lower cholesterol, not for microbial growth inhibition.
• Streptokinases are enzymes used to break down blood clots.
• Cyclostatins are not a commonly recognized class of antimicrobial substances.

Thus, the correct answer is Option (D) as antibiotics are the substances that inhibit microbial growth.