Antibiotics: Definition and Mechanisms — NEET Biology
✅ Asked in NEET 2024Antibiotics produced by microbes are regarded as one of the most significant discoveries of the twentieth century and have greatly contributed towards the welfare of the human society. Anti is a Greek word that means 'against', and bio means 'life', together they mean 'against life' (in the context of disease causing organisms); whereas with reference to human beings, they are 'pro life' and not against. Antibiotics are chemical substances, which are produced by some microbes and can kill or retard the growth of other (disease-causing) microbes.
NTA tests your understanding that antibiotics are chemicals produced by microbes (like bacteria and fungi) that kill or inhibit the growth of other disease-causing microbes. The key trap is confusing antibiotics as 'against life'—they're only against pathogens, not harmful to humans. Students often forget that antibiotics are produced naturally by microbes themselves, not synthetically made. Remember: antibiotics are selective—they target harmful microbes while being beneficial ('pro-life') for humans. This fundamental definition is crucial since NEET frequently asks about antibiotic classification, sources, and mechanisms of action in human welfare.
Given below are two statements (NEET 2024) Statement I: Antibiotics are chemicals produced by microbes that kill other microbes. Statement II: Antibodies are chemicals formed in the body that eliminate microbes.
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