Antibiotic - GCSE Biology Definition

An antibiotic is a type of medicine used to treat infections caused by bacteria, which are microorganisms that can sometimes cause disease. Antibiotics work by killing bacteria or stopping them from growing and multiplying, helping the body’s immune system to overcome the infection. Antibiotics are not effective against viruses, which cause illnesses like the common cold or flu. In GCSE Biology, students learn about the importance of antibiotics in medicine, as well as the risks of overusing them, such as antibiotic resistance, which occurs when bacteria become resistant to the effects of these drugs.