JEE Main 2022 · 26 July · evening · Numerical answer · +4 / −0
How many of the following drugs is/are example(s) of broad spectrum antibiotics?
Ofloxacin, Penicillin G, Terpineol, Salvarsan.
Answer and solution
Answer 1
Solution
Chemistry ma’am · 2 steps
Sort each drug by what it really is first; only then ask whether it attacks a wide range of bacteria.
- What broad spectrum means. A broad spectrum antibiotic kills or stops a wide range of bacteria, both Gram-positive and Gram-negative. A narrow spectrum antibiotic works mainly on one group.
Drug What it is Broad spectrum antibiotic? Ofloxacin Antibiotic that acts on many Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria Yes Penicillin G Antibiotic that acts mainly on Gram-positive bacteria No, narrow spectrum Terpineol Antiseptic, one of the ingredients of Dettol No, not an antibiotic Salvarsan Arsenic-based synthetic drug for syphilis No, not a broad spectrum antibiotic - So. Only Ofloxacin is a broad spectrum antibiotic, so the count is 1.
The common slip: 2. Counting Penicillin G as broad spectrum gives 2. It is the textbook example of a narrow spectrum antibiotic.
The idea to keep. Learn the standard lists: ampicillin, amoxycillin, chloramphenicol, vancomycin and ofloxacin are broad spectrum; penicillin G is narrow spectrum. Antiseptics such as terpineol are not antibiotics at all.
Answer from the NTA final answer key. Solution by PrepWiser.