Medicinal Use of Microorganisms

Some microorganisms are also used as medicines

Example

Antibiotics

Vaccines

Let's study these one by one

Antibiotics

We know that diseases are caused by harmful microorganisms.

There are some microorganisms which are good for us and fight these harmful microorganisms

Antibiotic medicines contain these good microorganisms which enter our body and kill harmful microorganisms

Example

Streptomycin, tetracycline and erythromycin

What precautions must be taken while taking antibiotics

1-Antibiotics should be taken only when advised by a qualified doctor

2-A person must complete the full course as prescribed by the doctor

3-Antibiotics should be taken in proper doses as advised by the doctor.If a person takes antibiotics in the wrong doses or when not needed,it might make the antibiotocs less effective when the person might need them in future.

4-Antibiotics should not be taken unnecessarily as it may kill the useful bacteria in the body.

Vaccine

Vaccines are prepared with the help of microorganisms

These vaccines help the body in making antibodies which fight these microorganisms and prevent diseases in future

Example

Polio Drops are given to children

Injections for Hepatitis ,smallpox,cholera are also given

Questions

NCERT Question 2 (b) - Tick the correct answer:

The following is an antibiotic

(i) Sodium bicarbonate (ii) Streptomycin (iii) Alcohol (iv) Yeast

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NCERT Question 9 - What are antibiotics? What precautions must be taken while taking antibiotics?

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NCERT Question 5 - What are the major groups of microorganisms?
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