Written by the Fiveable Content Team • Last updated September 2025
Verified for the 2026 exam
Verified for the 2026 exam•Written by the Fiveable Content Team • Last updated September 2025
Definition
Antibiotics are medicines used to prevent and treat bacterial infections. They work by killing bacteria or preventing them from reproducing and spreading.
Related terms
Antimicrobial Resistance: This occurs when microorganisms such as bacteria, viruses, fungi and parasites change in ways that render the medications used to cure the infections they cause ineffective.
Bactericidal: Refers to substances or processes that kill bacteria.
Bacteriostatic: These are substances or processes that inhibit bacterial growth.