Читать книгу Snyder and Champness Molecular Genetics of Bacteria - Tina M. Henkin - Страница 114

Antibiotics are substances that block the growth of cells. Many antibiotics are naturally synthesized chemical compounds made by soil microorganisms, especially actinomycetes, that may help them compete with other soil microorganisms. There are also other ideas as to why bacteria make antibiotics, including for their use in intercellular communication, especially in highly organized structures like biofilms. Many antibiotics specifically block DNA replication or change the structure of DNA. Because some parts of the replication machinery have remained relatively unchanged throughout evolution, many of these antibiotics work against essentially all types of bacteria. Some even work against eukaryotic cells and so are used as antifungal agents and in antitumor chemotherapy.