Common Exam Mistakes to Avoid:
- Don't say: "Antibiotics kill viruses" - they only work on bacteria
- Don't confuse: Antibiotics with antiseptics or disinfectants
- Don't forget: Fleming discovered penicillin, not all antibiotics
- Remember: Resistance is due to natural selection, not bacteria "learning"
Key Comparisons:
| Infection Type | Treatment | Examples | Outcome |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bacterial | Antibiotics | Pneumonia, strep throat | Can be cured |
| Viral | Antivirals (limited), rest, symptom relief | Cold, flu, COVID-19 | Usually self-limiting |
| Fungal | Antifungals | Thrush, athlete's foot | Can be treated |
This exam tips covers Exam Tips: Antibiotics vs Other Treatments within Antibiotics and Drug Resistance for GCSE Biology. Antibiotic function, bacterial resistance evolution, responsible use, global health impact It is section 10 of 18 in this topic. Treat this as a marking guide for what examiners are looking for, not just a fact list.
Practice questions for Antibiotics and Drug Resistance
What do antibiotics kill or stop growing?
Explain how antibiotic resistance develops in bacteria through natural selection. (3 marks)
Quick recall flashcards
What are antibiotics and what do they target?
Antibiotics are chemicals that kill bacteria or stop them from growing.
They target structures that bacteria have but human cells do not, such as cell walls.
Examples: penicillin, amoxicillin, streptomycin.
Why do antibiotics NOT work against viruses?
Antibiotics target bacterial cell walls and bacterial processes.
Viruses do not have cell walls and use the host cell's own machinery to reproduce.
There is nothing for the antibiotic to target in a virus.