Final answer:
Fluoroquinolones are a class of synthetic antimicrobial drugs that inhibit the activity of DNA gyrase, preventing DNA replication in bacteria. They are commonly prescribed to treat various infections, and the first-generation fluoroquinolones include drugs like ciprofloxacin and ofloxacin, while levofloxacin is a third-generation fluoroquinolone.
Step-by-step explanation:
Fluoroquinolones are a class of synthetic antimicrobial drugs that inhibit the activity of DNA gyrase, preventing DNA replication in bacteria. They are effective against a broad spectrum of gram-positive and gram-negative bacteria and are commonly prescribed to treat various infections such as urinary tract infections, respiratory infections, abdominal infections, and skin infections. The first generation fluoroquinolones, also known as second-generation fluoroquinolines, include drugs like ciprofloxacin and ofloxacin, which were not widely available until the 1980s. Levofloxacin, on the other hand, is a third-generation fluoroquinolone.