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Infection & ResponseKey Facts

Key Facts About Antibiotics

Part of Antibiotics and Drug Resistance · GCSE GCSE Biology revision

This key facts covers Key Facts About Antibiotics within Antibiotics and Drug Resistance for GCSE Biology. Antibiotic function, bacterial resistance evolution, responsible use, global health impact It is section 2 of 18 in this topic. Use this key facts to connect the idea to the wider topic before moving on to questions and flashcards.

Topic position

Section 2 of 18

Practice

23 questions

Recall

12 flashcards

Key Facts About Antibiotics

  • Definition: Chemicals that kill bacteria (bactericidal) or stop their growth (bacteriostatic)
  • Target: Only work against bacterial infections, NOT viral infections
  • Sources: Originally from fungi and bacteria, now many are synthetic
  • Examples: Penicillin, amoxicillin, tetracycline, erythromycin
  • Broad-spectrum: Work against many types of bacteria
  • Narrow-spectrum: Target specific bacterial species

Keep building this topic

Read this section alongside the surrounding pages in Antibiotics and Drug Resistance. That gives you the full topic sequence instead of a single isolated revision point.

From Miracle Cure to Modern CrisisHow Antibiotics Work: Mechanisms of ActionRequired Practical: Investigating Antibiotic ActionHow Antibiotic Resistance Develops

Practice Questions for Antibiotics and Drug Resistance

What do antibiotics kill or stop growing?

  • A. Viruses
  • B. Bacteria
  • C. Fungi
  • D. All pathogens
1 markfoundation

Explain how antibiotic resistance develops in bacteria through natural selection. (3 marks)

3 marksstandard

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.

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From Miracle Cure to Modern Crisis

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How Antibiotics Work: Mechanisms of Action