A chemical that kills bacteria or slows their growth without harming body cells is called what?

Unlock all questions

This demo includes only 20 questions. Upgrade to access hundreds of questions, flashcards, exam simulations, and disable ads.

Full question bankExam simulationsFlashcards
From $24.99Unlock all

Study for the PLTW Medical Detectives Exam. Prepare with flashcards and multiple choice questions, each question has hints and explanations. Get ready for your test and excel!

Multiple Choice

A chemical that kills bacteria or slows their growth without harming body cells is called what?

Explanation:
The main idea is the term for a chemical that kills bacteria or slows their growth while sparing body cells: an antibiotic. Antibiotics work by exploiting differences between bacterial cells and human cells—for example, they may disrupt the bacterial cell wall or ribosomes, which are distinct from human ones—allowing them to stop bacteria without harming our own cells. The other options don’t fit: a virus is not a chemical and antibiotics don’t kill viruses; a microorganism is any living organism (not specifically a treatment); and a diagnosis is the process of identifying a disease, not a chemical.

The main idea is the term for a chemical that kills bacteria or slows their growth while sparing body cells: an antibiotic. Antibiotics work by exploiting differences between bacterial cells and human cells—for example, they may disrupt the bacterial cell wall or ribosomes, which are distinct from human ones—allowing them to stop bacteria without harming our own cells. The other options don’t fit: a virus is not a chemical and antibiotics don’t kill viruses; a microorganism is any living organism (not specifically a treatment); and a diagnosis is the process of identifying a disease, not a chemical.

More Multiple Choice Questions
Subscribe

Get the latest from Examzify

You can unsubscribe at any time. Read our privacy policy