Antibiotics and Their Role | GCSE Biology Quiz

Biology Quiz - Unit 1 - Antibiotics (Questions)

In this GCSE Biology quiz you will learn how antibiotics treat bacterial infections, why they do not kill viruses, and why careful use helps slow resistance.

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Fascinating Fact:

Different antibiotics target different types of bacteria, so doctors choose specific antibiotics depending on the infection and the bacteria involved.

In GCSE Biology, you study how antibiotics are used to treat bacterial infections, why they must be prescribed and taken carefully, and how overuse or misuse can lead to antibiotic resistance. You also learn why antibiotics are effective against bacteria but not viruses, which is important for understanding different treatments for infectious diseases.

Key Terms

Antibiotic: A medicine that kills bacteria or stops them growing, helping the body to fight bacterial infections.
Bacterium: A single celled microorganism that can reproduce quickly, sometimes causing disease in humans, animals, and plants.
Antibiotic resistance: When bacteria change so that an antibiotic no longer kills them or slows their growth effectively.

Frequently Asked Questions (Click to see answers)

What are antibiotics used for in GCSE Biology?

In GCSE Biology, antibiotics are described as medicines used to treat bacterial infections by killing bacteria or stopping them reproducing, so that the immune system can clear the infection.

Why do antibiotics not work on viruses?

Antibiotics do not work on viruses because they target structures and processes found in bacteria, such as cell walls or specific enzymes, which viruses do not have.

How can we use antibiotics safely to reduce resistance?

We can use antibiotics safely by only taking them when prescribed, completing the full course, never sharing leftover tablets, and avoiding antibiotics for common viral infections like colds.

Try These Related Quizzes

Antibiotics are not effective against which of the following?

[ ]	Bacteria
[ ]	Viruses
[ ]	Fungi
[ ]	Protoctista

What name is given to sterile handling techniques in microbiology?

[ ]	Septic
[ ]	Aseptic
[ ]	Skeptic
[ ]	Diagnostic

What is agar used for in microbiology?

[ ]	Provide nutrients for growth
[ ]	Dilute the bacteria to avoid competition
[ ]	As an antibiotic to kill unwanted bacteria
[ ]	To maintain the stability of the solid growth media

What does a pathogen cause?

[ ]	Addiction
[ ]	Heart attacks
[ ]	Disease
[ ]	Hallucinations

What do white blood cells use to protect us against pathogens?

[ ]	Antibodies
[ ]	Platelets
[ ]	Mucous
[ ]	Auxin

MRSA is a type of bacteria that is resistant to what?

[ ]	Antiviral drugs
[ ]	Antibiotics
[ ]	Pain killers
[ ]	Statins

Mutation of bacteria can lead to new strains of bacteria which are...

[ ]	immune to antibiotics
[ ]	resistant to antibiotics
[ ]	susceptible to antibiotics
[ ]	killed by all antibiotics

The MMR vaccine protects against measles, mumps and which other condition?

[ ]	Red eye
[ ]	Rickets
[ ]	Rhinitis
[ ]	Rubella

Bacteria in schools are usually cultured at or below which of the following temperatures?

[ ]	40 degrees C
[ ]	35 degrees C
[ ]	25 degrees C
[ ]	20 degrees C

10.

Release of which substance from pathogens makes us feel ill?

[ ]	Antitoxin
[ ]	Toxin
[ ]	Hormone
[ ]	Enzyme

Biology Quiz - Unit 1 - Antibiotics (Answers)

Antibiotics are not effective against which of the following?

[ ]	Bacteria
[x]	Viruses
[ ]	Fungi
[ ]	Protoctista

Only special anti-viral drugs are effective against viruses

What name is given to sterile handling techniques in microbiology?

[ ]	Septic
[x]	Aseptic
[ ]	Skeptic
[ ]	Diagnostic

Aseptic techniques ensure that unwanted bacteria are less likely to be cultured by accident

What is agar used for in microbiology?

[x]	Provide nutrients for growth
[ ]	Dilute the bacteria to avoid competition
[ ]	As an antibiotic to kill unwanted bacteria
[ ]	To maintain the stability of the solid growth media

It is a gel that is obtained from certain red coloured algae

What does a pathogen cause?

[ ]	Addiction
[ ]	Heart attacks
[x]	Disease
[ ]	Hallucinations

They are things like bacteria, viruses and single celled organisms

What do white blood cells use to protect us against pathogens?

[x]	Antibodies
[ ]	Platelets
[ ]	Mucous
[ ]	Auxin

White blood cells (leucocytes) protect us in a variety of ways including the release of antitoxins and antibodies

MRSA is a type of bacteria that is resistant to what?

[ ]	Antiviral drugs
[x]	Antibiotics
[ ]	Pain killers
[ ]	Statins

MRSA stands for Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus

Mutation of bacteria can lead to new strains of bacteria which are...

[ ]	immune to antibiotics
[x]	resistant to antibiotics
[ ]	susceptible to antibiotics
[ ]	killed by all antibiotics

Mutation in bacteria occurs over short timescales as they reproduce rapidly which is why antibiotic resistant bacteria have developed in just a few decades. The hard part of this question is to decide whether 'immune to antibiotics' or 'resistant to antibiotics' is the correct option to choose. Medical professionals and the GCSE syllabus all refer to the resistance of bacteria to antibiotics, therefore the option 'resistant to antibiotics' has to be the correct answer. Always remember, some questions in your GCSE exam will test if you know the correct words to use

The MMR vaccine protects against measles, mumps and which other condition?

[ ]	Red eye
[ ]	Rickets
[ ]	Rhinitis
[x]	Rubella

Some people believe that the MMR vaccination does more harm than the diseases it protects against