A Level Biology Practice Exam

Disable ads (and more) with a membership for a one time $2.99 payment

Prepare effectively for your A Level Biology Exam with our engaging quizzes and comprehensive resources. Test your knowledge and gain confidence with every practice question and detailed explanation. Get ready to excel in your exam!

Each practice test/flash card set has 50 randomly selected questions from a bank of over 500. You'll get a new set of questions each time!

Practice this question and more.

What is the primary function of antibiotics?

To promote bacterial growth
To inhibit or kill the growth of bacteria
To enhance the immune response
To neutralize toxins produced by bacteria

The correct answer is: To inhibit or kill the growth of bacteria

The primary function of antibiotics is to inhibit or kill the growth of bacteria. Antibiotics are specifically designed to target bacterial cells, either by disrupting essential processes such as cell wall synthesis, protein synthesis, or nucleic acid replication, or by interfering with metabolic pathways unique to bacteria. This selective action is what makes antibiotics effective against bacterial infections while sparing human cells. The role of antibiotics should not be confused with promoting bacterial growth; their purpose is to combat bacterial presence, not encourage it. While some treatments can boost the immune response, this is not a function of antibiotics themselves, but rather the job of the immune system supported by overall health. Additionally, while some approaches in medical practice do involve neutralizing toxins produced by bacteria, that's more relevant to supportive treatments rather than the direct action of antibiotics themselves. Hence, the choice correctly identifies the primary role of antibiotics in treating bacterial infections.