IB Biology SL 3.2.13 Antibiotics and pathogens Question Bank
Practise IB Biology SL 3.2.13 by explaining antibiotic selectivity and its limits against viral disease.
- Syllabus
- First assessment 2025
- Course
- Biology SL
- Level
- SL
Exam points
- Explain why antibiotics act against bacteria but not viruses.
- Relate antibiotic selectivity to bacterial structures and safe treatment of infection.
C3.2.13—Antibiotics question 1
[Maximum number: 2]
Outline why antibiotics are effective against bacteria but not against viruses.
Complete correct answer:
Antibiotics block or inhibit specific metabolic pathways or cell functions found in bacteria, such as bacterial protein synthesis or cell wall formation. Viruses must use host/eukaryotic cell metabolism or do not have their own metabolic pathways, and host/eukaryotic cell metabolism or pathways are not blocked or inhibited by antibiotics.
Marking guidance:
Accept specific examples of inhibition such as bacterial protein synthesis or cell wall formation. Official markscheme page 5.
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