2007-03-08 04:09:56 · 9 answers · asked by luckyim 1 in Science & Mathematics ➔ Biology
hey kayu n!
but som bacs also produce alcohol.
so, if the same bac can produce antibiotics and alcohol & both hav d potential to kill others then y do we call 1 antibiotic & other not?
2007-03-10 03:30:29 · update #1
Alcohol doesn't have much of an impact on developed infections and would be pretty worthless as an antibiotic. However, it can work to help prevent an infection and it DOES kill bacteria. Certain foods are best eaten with drink to lower the risk of food poisoning.
2007-03-08 04:27:04 · answer #1 · answered by btpage0630 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Ethyl alcohol is a waste product produced by yeast (a fungus, not a bacteria) which cracks sugar in order to get oxygen for survival. It can't be used as an antibiotic because it doesn't directly attack the bacteria. Its antiseptic properties are related more to its solvent and drying properties.
Isopropyl alcohol is more toxic to humans, and it's synthesized. Again, it's the solvent and drying properties that make it useful as an antiseptic.
Methyl alcohol isn't used because of its toxicity, but it would work for the same reasons. Also synthesized.
All three of these in high enough concentrations act as preservatives, but simply because nothing can function in them at those concentrations. It takes about 18% ethanol for this to start happening. I read an article once about a naval hero who was sealed in a lead casket that was filled with ethanol. It had a viewing glass so they were able to check on him when he had to be moved at a much later date. Still pickled.
The difference between an antiseptic and an antibiotic is like the difference between something which is poison and one that's lethal. Poisons can kill you because they interfere with functioning on a cellular level. A plastic bag over your head can certainly be lethal, but it isn't considered poisonous.
2007-03-08 13:04:22 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
what are antibiotics?
according to wiki, an antibiotic is a drug that kills or prevents the growth of bacteria.
my books state that i can combat both fungi and bacteria, opposed to that in wiki. But anyway, a very important is that antibiotics will destroy certain things which appears in the producers' vicinity of food. In other words, the producer tries to occupy the area as dorminantly as they can, by secreting the antibiotics. Another crucial feature of antibiotics is that it will not pose harm on its original producer.
So, let me ask you. What is the producer of alcohol, ethanol in particular? It may be yeast, right? by anaerobic respiration, i.e. alcoholic fermentation. Yeast is a fungi, i suppose you know that. if based on the definition of wiki, alcohol, produced by yeast, is not going to fit with that. but based on my book, it is okay. NONETHELESS, please be reminded that even if the producer is yeast, which is a fungi, which does not violate my book's definition. A high concentratino of alcohol will dampen the growth and multiplication of yeast. You should know that when the yeast is allowed to carry out anaerobic respiration in a closed system for a long time, the high concentration of alcohol accumulated will kill itself. So, it poses harm on the producer. that's why alcohol is not thought to be antibiotics, dude!
2007-03-08 14:05:21 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
It takes very high concentrations to kill with alcohol. A typical dose of antibiotic for humans is a gram or less. A typical drink contains roughly 10 grams of alcohol and has virtually no impact on bacteria.
2007-03-08 12:16:06 · answer #4 · answered by novangelis 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
An antibiotic is a drug that is used internally to fight infection. It targets parts of bacteria that are unique to bacteria, so that they don't harm us. An antiseptic is a chemical that's used outside of the body to kill bacteria and other pathogens. Alcohol is an antiseptic. You cannot use them internally to fight infection, because it would harm or kill you at concentrations high enough to kill bacteria. Bleach and ammonia are otherr good examples of this.
2007-03-08 12:39:12 · answer #5 · answered by Patrick T 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I agree with patrick.
antibiotics are specific. And attack certain parts of the bacteria. Therefore different bacterias need different antibiotics.
Alcohol is NONE-specific. And is as harmfull for humans as it is for the bacteria.
Its a nice thought though an IV with alcohol specialy for the lazy drinker HAHAHAHAHA
2007-03-08 12:45:35 · answer #6 · answered by Floris v 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Because at the quantity required to be consumed to work as antibiotic, it kills the patient (ruining the whole family) before it kills the microbes.
2007-03-08 12:25:09 · answer #7 · answered by surnell 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Thats just what the beverage industry is looking for...a campaign by lovely people like you....
2007-03-08 13:29:13 · answer #8 · answered by Jai 3 · 0⤊ 1⤋
You want to drink more in that name.
2007-03-08 12:13:54 · answer #9 · answered by Expression 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋