Antibiotics are like bodyguards for our body. They are chemicals that slow down the growth of those pesky microorganisms, especially bacteria.

• Real-world Example: Think of antibiotics as the bouncers at a club. They keep the troublemakers (bacteria) out, but let the cool kids (our cells) party on!

Most antibiotics work against bacteria, not our cells. Why? They block certain processes in bacteria that our cells don't use.

• They stop bacteria from

  • Copying their DNA
  • Making RNA from DNA (transcription)
  • Building proteins from RNA (translation)
  • Using their ribosomes
  • Constructing their protective walls

• Fun Fact: It's like if bacteria had a specific Wi-Fi password and the antibiotics knew it and blocked their connection!

Many antibiotics come from saprotrophic fungi (those that feed on dead matter).

• Why? These fungi and bacteria both like munching on dead stuff. It's a food fight! Fungi produce antibiotics to stop bacteria from taking their lunch.

• Star Player: Penicillin. Produced by some strains of the Penicillium fungus. Imagine if fungi had reality TV; this would be their survival strategy when food is scarce and bacteria are moving in on their territory!