Definition

Noun: A broad-spectrum antibiotic of the tetracycline class, produced by the soil bacterium Streptomyces rimosus. It is effective against a wide range of bacterial and rickettsial infections.

Usage

Oxytetracycline is used as a medication to treat infections. * The veterinarian prescribed oxytetracycline for the cattle's respiratory infection. * Oxytetracycline is sometimes used in aquaculture to control disease in fish.

Advanced Usage

• In scientific and medical contexts, oxytetracycline is often discussed for its mechanism of action, which involves inhibiting bacterial protein synthesis.
  • The study focused on the binding of oxytetracycline to the bacterial ribosome.
• It can be used as a fluorescent marker in biological research due to its properties.
  • The bone was labeled with oxytetracycline to study growth rates.

Variants and Related Words

• Terramycin (noun): A common trademark for oxytetracycline.
• Tetracycline (noun): The parent class of antibiotics to which oxytetracycline belongs.

Synonyms

• Antibiotic
• Antimicrobial agent
• Bacteriostatic agent (describes its mode of action)

Notes on Meaning

While "oxytetracycline" primarily refers to the specific antibiotic compound, it is fundamentally understood as a type of medicine or drug used for treating infections. Its core meaning is tied to its therapeutic function.

Noun

1. a yellow crystalline antibiotic (trademark Terramycin) obtained from a soil actinomycete; used to treat various bacterial and rickettsial infections