Final answer:
An antibiotic is a substance produced by microorganisms that is used to harm or kill other microorganisms. They are used to treat bacterial infections by targeting specific microbial structures and enzymes. Antibiotics provide selective toxicity, meaning they selectively kill or inhibit the growth of microbial targets while causing minimal harm to the host.
Step-by-step explanation:
An antibiotic is a substance produced by a microorganism that is used to harm or kill other microorganisms. Antibiotics can be naturally produced by microorganisms or synthesized in a laboratory. They are typically used to treat bacterial infections by targeting specific microbial structures and enzymes.
Antibiotics are a form of antimicrobial drugs, which also include antifungal, antiparasitic, and antiviral drugs. Antivirals, for example, are used to treat viral infections. Antibiotics provide selective toxicity, meaning they selectively kill or inhibit the growth of microbial targets while causing minimal harm to the host.