Antibiotics: Definition and Mechanisms — NEET Biology
✅ Asked in NEET 2024Given 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.
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.
Answer & NCERT explanation
Correct answer: C — Both Statement I and Statement II are correct.
Both statements are correct. Statement I: Antibiotics are indeed chemical substances produced by microorganisms that kill or inhibit growth of other microbes. Statement II: Antibodies are protein molecules produced by immune system B-cells that bind to and neutralize specific antigens/pathogens.
Read more NCERT concept on the PYQ
Antibiotics 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.
What does NCERT say about Antibiotics produced by microbes?
Has this concept appeared in NEET?
Which chapter is this from?
Through deep analysis of NEET and NTA, 176 of the 180 ReNEET 2026 (June 21) questions were already in the MedicNEET question bank before the exam.
176/180MedicNEET's Biology question bank is built from the same NCERT lines NTA picks repeatedly. Not random MCQs — questions crafted exactly like NTA crafts them.