Question

The cooperative activity of drugs (application of antimicrobial agents in combination) such as beta-lactim antibiotics and clavulanic acid, a B-lactamase inhibitor, is known as

A) synergism
B) chemotherapy
C) antimetabolism
D) cross resistance
E) selective toxicity

Answer 1

The combined use of beta-lactam antibiotics and clavulanic acid, which inhibits beta-lactamase, is an example of synergism, enhancing the antibiotic's effectiveness.

Step-by-step explanation:

The cooperative activity of drugs such as beta-lactam antibiotics and clavulanic acid, a beta-lactamase inhibitor, is known as synergism. Synergism occurs when two drugs are used in combination to produce a greater effect than either would alone. For instance, clavulanic acid enhances the effectiveness of beta-lactam antibiotics by inhibiting beta-lactamase enzymes that would otherwise degrade the antibiotic, allowing the antibiotic to effectively inhibit cell wall synthesis in bacteria.