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Antibiotics are effective against infections caused only by which pathogen?
Viruses
Bacteria
Fungi
Parasites
The correct answer is: Bacteria
Antibiotics are specifically designed to target bacteria and inhibit their growth or kill them, making them effective only against bacterial infections. Unlike viruses, fungi, and parasites, which have distinct biological structures and life cycles, bacteria possess characteristics that allow antibiotics to disrupt essential functions such as cell wall synthesis, protein synthesis, or DNA replication. This specificity is crucial; for instance, antibiotics have no effect on viral infections, as viruses require host cells to reproduce and do not possess the cellular machinery that antibiotics target. By understanding this information, one can grasp the importance of correctly diagnosing infections to use the appropriate treatment, as antibiotics should not be used for conditions caused by viruses, fungi, or parasites.