15.1.1

Antibiotics

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Antibiotics

Drugs are any substances taken into the body that modify or affect chemical reactions in the body. Antibiotics, such as penicillin, are drugs developed to cure infections caused by bacteria. Some antibiotics work by destroying the cell wall of the bacteria so that they can't replicate.

Illustrative background for Antibiotics do not affect virusesIllustrative background for Antibiotics do not affect viruses ?? "content

Antibiotics do not affect viruses

  • Antibiotics do not destroy viruses because viruses stay inside host cells and are not living cells.
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Antibiotics are specific

  • Specific antibiotics are prescribed by medical doctors for specific diseases.
  • The use of antibiotics has greatly reduced the number of deaths from infectious bacterial diseases.

Jump to other topics

1Classification of Living Organisms

2Organisation of the Organism

3Movement Into & Out of Cells

4Biological Molecules

5Enzymes

6Plant Nutrition

7Human Nutrition

8Transport in Plants

9Transport in Animals

10Diseases & Immunity

11Gas Exchange in Humans

12Respiration

13Excretion in Humans

14Coordination & Response

15Drugs

16Reproduction

17Inheritance

18Variation & Selection

19Organisms & Their Environment

20Human Influence on Ecosystems

21Biotechnology & Genetic Modification

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