Answer the following questions in brief.

A. What are ‘broad spectrum antibiotics’?

B. What is fermentation?

C. Define ‘Antibiotic’.

A. The antibiotics which are used to control variety of bacteria, not just specific bacteria are called ‘broad spectrum antibiotics’. For examples ampicillin, amoxicillin, tetracycline, etc.

B. Fermentation is a process in which microorganisms such as bacteria and yeast, convert sugar (carbohydrate) into organic acid, alcohol etc.

Examples:

i. The lactobacilli bacteria convert lactose (milk sugar) into lactic acid.

ii. Yeast convert the carbohydrates into alcohol and carbon dioxide.

C. Antibiotics are carbon compounds which are obtained from some bacteria and fungi and are used kill or stop the growth of harmful micro-organisms. For example: penicillin is an antibiotics which is obtained from a fungus Penicillium is used to kill bacteria.