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The term antibiotic was coined by
  • a)
    Alexander Fleming
  • b)
    S.Waksman
  • c)
    Louis Pasteur
  • d)
    Edward Jenner
Correct answer is option 'B'. Can you explain this answer?
Most Upvoted Answer
The term antibiotic was coined bya)Alexander Flemingb)S.Waksmanc)Louis...
Selman Waksman, the microbiologist who discovered streptomycin , first used the word 'Antibiotic' in medical in 1943.
So, the Correct answers is 'Waksman'.
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The term antibiotic was coined bya)Alexander Flemingb)S.Waksmanc)Louis...
The Term "Antibiotic" was Coined by S. Waksman

Introduction:
The term "antibiotic" is commonly used to refer to a group of drugs that are effective in killing or inhibiting the growth of bacteria. The person credited with coining the term is S. Waksman.

Selman Waksman:
Selman Waksman was a renowned American microbiologist and biochemist. He was born in 1888 in what is now Ukraine and later moved to the United States. Waksman dedicated his career to researching microorganisms and their potential for producing antimicrobial agents.

The Discovery of Streptomycin:
In the early 1940s, Waksman and his team at Rutgers University began investigating soil bacteria as a potential source of antimicrobial substances. They discovered a microorganism called Streptomyces griseus that produced a powerful antibiotic, which they named "streptomycin." This discovery marked a significant milestone in the field of antibiotics.

The Coined Term:
After the discovery of streptomycin, Waksman needed a term to describe these substances that could kill or inhibit the growth of bacteria. He introduced the term "antibiotic" in a paper published in 1942 titled "On the Antibiotic Substances Produced by Actinomycetes." The word "antibiotic" is derived from the Greek words "anti," meaning against, and "bios," meaning life.

Importance of the Coined Term:
The term "antibiotic" provided a concise and specific way to refer to these substances and their antimicrobial properties. It helped establish a clear distinction between these drugs and other antimicrobial agents, such as antiseptics or disinfectants. The use of the term "antibiotic" became widespread and is now universally recognized in the medical and scientific communities.

Conclusion:
S. Waksman, a prominent microbiologist and biochemist, coined the term "antibiotic" to describe substances that can kill or inhibit the growth of bacteria. His discovery of streptomycin and the subsequent introduction of the term revolutionized the field of medicine and paved the way for the development of numerous life-saving antibiotics.
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The term antibiotic was coined bya)Alexander Flemingb)S.Waksmanc)Louis Pasteurd)Edward JennerCorrect answer is option 'B'. Can you explain this answer?
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