Written by the Fiveable Content Team • Last updated August 2025
Verified for the 2026 exam
Verified for the 2026 exam•Written by the Fiveable Content Team • Last updated August 2025
Definition
Antibiotics are medicines used to prevent and treat bacterial infections. They work by killing bacteria or preventing them from reproducing and spreading.
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.