Antibiotic is

Antibiotic is

• A. A drug that kills or slows the growth of bacteria
• B. A drug that cures viral infections
• C. A vaccine for immunity
• D. A hormone used in therapy

Answer: (A)

Antibiotics are drugs that kill or slow the growth of bacteria. They work by targeting features that bacteria have but our own cells don’t, such as the bacterial cell wall or specific bacterial enzymes, which is why they can treat bacterial infections with relatively limited harm to human cells. This is why the description that fits an antibiotic is a drug that kills or slows the growth of bacteria. They don’t cure viral infections—viruses require antivirals or vaccines, and a vaccine is something that teaches the immune system to recognize a pathogen, not a treatment for an active infection. Hormones used in therapy play a different role in the body altogether. Remember also that appropriate use is important, as overuse or misuse of antibiotics can lead to resistant bacteria.

Antibiotics are drugs that kill or slow the growth of bacteria. They work by targeting features that bacteria have but our own cells don’t, such as the bacterial cell wall or specific bacterial enzymes, which is why they can treat bacterial infections with relatively limited harm to human cells. This is why the description that fits an antibiotic is a drug that kills or slows the growth of bacteria. They don’t cure viral infections—viruses require antivirals or vaccines, and a vaccine is something that teaches the immune system to recognize a pathogen, not a treatment for an active infection. Hormones used in therapy play a different role in the body altogether. Remember also that appropriate use is important, as overuse or misuse of antibiotics can lead to resistant bacteria.