IB Biology HL C3.2.13 Antibiotics Questions

Explore how antibiotic compounds inhibit bacterial processes without harming eukaryotic cells, and how antivirals target viral replication in IB Biology HL C3.2.13.

Exam points

Explain that antibiotics block bacterial metabolic or cellular processes that are absent from human/eukaryotic cells, giving selective treatment of bacterial infection.
Explain that viruses lack independent metabolism and bacterial cellular targets, so antibiotics do not treat viral disease.
Distinguish antiviral treatment as targeting viral replication processes rather than bacterial metabolism.

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Study C3.2.13—Antibiotics conceptsOpen the corresponding Concept lesson for explanations, examples and exam connections.

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The figure shows a transmission electron micrograph of rotavirus particles. Each rotavirus is about 70 nanometres in diameter.

Figure for Question IB Biology HL C3.2.13 Antibiotics Questions question 1 — IB Biology HL

Rotavirus causes diarrhea and vomiting. Explain why viral diseases cannot be treated using antibiotics.

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IB Biology HL C3.2.13 Antibiotics Questions question 1