Antibiotics and painkillers — AQA GCSE Biology
Test yourself on Antibiotics and painkillers with AQA GCSE practice questions.
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Antibiotics and painkillers explained
This statement requires you to explain how different medicines treat disease according to cause.
Read the full explanation
Antibiotics treat bacterial infections by killing bacteria or stopping their growth, so they work only when bacteria are the cause. They do not treat viruses such as those causing colds or influenza because viruses lack the bacterial targets antibiotics act on and reproduce inside host cells. Painkillers, such as paracetamol, relieve symptoms such as pain or fever but do not kill pathogens, so they do not cure the infection. Other medicines treat specific conditions: for example, insulin replaces a hormone that is missing in some people with diabetes, and oral rehydration salts replace water and ions lost through diarrhoea. Antivirals may be used for some viral diseases, but antibiotics are ineffective against viruses.
Your focus
- Explain why antibiotics treat bacterial but not viral infections.
- Distinguish between medicines that cure infection and those that relieve symptoms.
- Describe examples of other medicines and the conditions they treat.
Antibiotics and painkillers exam tips
Marking Points
- Antibiotics are effective against bacteria because they kill bacteria or inhibit their growth.
- Antibiotics are not effective against viruses, so viral infections such as colds and influenza are not treated with antibiotics.
- Painkillers relieve symptoms such as pain or fever but do not destroy pathogens or cure the underlying infection.
- Some medicines replace missing substances or treat specific conditions, for example insulin in diabetes or oral rehydration salts in diarrhoea.
- Choosing a medicine depends on the cause of the disease and whether the aim is to kill the pathogen or relieve symptoms.
Examiner Tips
- 💡State the cause of the disease first, then name the suitable medicine and explain its action.
- 💡Use comparative language such as 'antibiotics kill bacteria, whereas painkillers only relieve symptoms'.
- 💡When asked to explain, avoid simply listing medicines; link each medicine to what it does in the body.
Common Mistakes
- Thinking antibiotics cure all infections; correct this by stating they act only on bacteria and not on viruses.
- Confusing painkillers with antibiotics; correct this by explaining that painkillers relieve symptoms but do not kill pathogens.
- Assuming all medicines work by killing pathogens; correct this by giving examples such as insulin replacement or rehydration therapy.