What is the definition of a antimicrobial chemotherapeutic drug?
Don’t get caught up on the long words. Chemotherapy means to destroy with chemicals. Chemotherapeutic agents will kill rapidly dividing cells (like bacteria!). Antimicrobial means it kills or inhibits microorganisms, like bacteria (fungi, protozoans, etc). It’s less harmful to the host (in this case, you) because it’ll kill the bacteria but not the cell. When you see long words like this try to break them down. Oftentimes the definition is hidden in the question. Anti = against Microbial = microbes (tiny organisms). So, antimicrobial must mean that it is against microorganisms, either killing or impairing. Chemo = chemicals. Chemotherapy = therapy using chemicals. If we put two and two together we get a chemical compound that kills bacteria. Voila!
