Key Facts About Antibiotics

Part of Antibiotics and Drug Resistance — GCSE Biology

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 19 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 19

Practice

20 questions

Recall

24 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.

Fleming's Revolutionary Discovery How Antibiotics Work: Mechanisms of Action Required Practical: Investigating Antibiotic Action The Rise of Antibiotic Resistance

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?

Chemicals that kill or inhibit the growth of bacteria

What is a superbug?

A bacterium that is resistant to many or most antibiotics

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Fleming's Revolutionary Discovery

How Antibiotics Work: Mechanisms of Action