What is the primary function of antibiotics?

The primary function of antibiotics is to inhibit the growth of bacteria. Antibiotics are specifically designed to target bacterial cells and either kill them or stop their reproduction. They achieve this by interfering with various processes that are essential for bacterial survival and multiplication, such as protein synthesis, cell wall formation, or DNA replication.

This targeting is crucial because it allows antibiotics to be effective against bacterial infections while generally being harmless to human cells, which have different biochemical pathways. Understanding this mechanism is vital in the context of public health and the treatment of infections, as inappropriate use of antibiotics can lead to the development of antibiotic-resistant bacteria, making future infections harder to treat.

In contrast, options that suggest boosting the immune system or inhibiting the growth of viruses do not accurately reflect the function of antibiotics, as these are areas typically addressed by vaccinations, antiviral medications, or immune-modulating therapies.