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    Biology GCSE

    antibiotics versus antivirals

    What antibiotics versus antivirals means in Biology GCSE, as defined for AQA, OCR.

    Definitions of antibiotics versus antivirals

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    Reference: OCR

    Antibiotics specifically kill bacteria or inhibit their growth without harming human cells but are ineffective against viruses, whereas antivirals inhibit specific viral enzymes and replication stages inside host cells.
    OCR · Monitoring and maintaining health
    Antibiotics target bacterial structures such as cell walls, which viruses do not have, making antibiotics ineffective against viruses.
    AQA · Antibiotics and painkillers (study guide)

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