Table of contents

1. Introduction to Biology2h 42m
2. Chemistry3h 37m
3. Water1h 26m
4. Biomolecules2h 23m
5. Cell Components2h 26m
6. The Membrane2h 31m
7. Energy and Metabolism2h 0m
8. Respiration2h 40m
9. Photosynthesis2h 49m
10. Cell Signaling59m
11. Cell Division2h 47m
12. Meiosis2h 0m
13. Mendelian Genetics4h 44m
14. DNA Synthesis2h 27m
15. Gene Expression3h 6m
16. Regulation of Expression3h 31m
17. Viruses37m
- Viruses
  37m
18. Biotechnology2h 58m
19. Genomics17m
- Genomes
  17m
20. Development1h 5m
21. Evolution3h 1m
22. Evolution of Populations3h 53m
23. Speciation1h 37m
24. History of Life on Earth2h 6m
25. Phylogeny2h 31m
26. Prokaryotes4h 59m
27. Protists1h 12m
28. Plants1h 22m
29. Fungi36m
- Fungi
  19m
- Fungi Reproduction
  17m
30. Overview of Animals34m
- Overview of Animals
  34m
31. Invertebrates1h 2m
32. Vertebrates50m
33. Plant Anatomy1h 3m
34. Vascular Plant Transport1h 2m
- Water Potential
  1h 2m
35. Soil37m
- Soil and Nutrients
  20m
- Nitrogen Fixation
  16m
36. Plant Reproduction47m
- Flowers
  33m
- Seeds
  14m
37. Plant Sensation and Response1h 9m
38. Animal Form and Function1h 19m
39. Digestive System1h 10m
- Digestion
  1h 3m
- Blood Sugar Homeostasis
  7m
40. Circulatory System1h 49m
41. Immune System1h 12m
42. Osmoregulation and Excretion50m
- Osmoregulation and Excretion
  50m
43. Endocrine System1h 4m
- Endocrine System
  1h 4m
44. Animal Reproduction1h 2m
- Animal Reproduction
  1h 2m
45. Nervous System1h 55m
- Neurons and Action Potentials
  1h 8m
- Central and Peripheral Nervous System
  46m
46. Sensory Systems46m
- Sensory System
  46m
47. Muscle Systems23m
- Musculoskeletal System
  23m
48. Ecology3h 11m
49. Animal Behavior28m
- Animal Behavior
  28m
50. Population Ecology3h 41m
51. Community Ecology2h 46m
52. Ecosystems2h 36m
53. Conservation Biology24m
- Conservation Biology
  24m

17. Viruses

Viruses

General Biology

17. Viruses

Viruses

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2:12 minutes

Problem 7

Textbook Question

If you come down with the flu, should your physician prescribe an antibiotic for you? Explain why or why not.

Verified step by step guidance

Understand the nature of the flu: The flu is caused by the influenza virus, which is a type of pathogen classified as a virus, not a bacterium. Antibiotics are specifically designed to target bacterial infections, not viral infections.

Learn how antibiotics work: Antibiotics function by interfering with processes essential to bacterial survival, such as cell wall synthesis, protein synthesis, or DNA replication. Viruses, however, do not have these structures or processes, making antibiotics ineffective against them.

Consider the risks of unnecessary antibiotic use: Prescribing antibiotics for a viral infection like the flu can contribute to antibiotic resistance, a serious global health issue where bacteria evolve to resist the effects of antibiotics, making future bacterial infections harder to treat.

Explore appropriate treatments for the flu: Instead of antibiotics, antiviral medications may be prescribed to target the influenza virus directly. Supportive care, such as rest, hydration, and over-the-counter medications, can also help alleviate flu symptoms.

Discuss the importance of accurate diagnosis: Physicians should carefully diagnose the cause of the illness. If a secondary bacterial infection (e.g., pneumonia) develops alongside the flu, antibiotics may be necessary to treat the bacterial component of the illness.

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Key Concepts

Here are the essential concepts you must grasp in order to answer the question correctly.

Viral vs. Bacterial Infections

The flu is caused by the influenza virus, which is a viral infection. Antibiotics are effective against bacterial infections, not viral ones. Understanding this distinction is crucial because prescribing antibiotics for viral infections like the flu does not treat the illness and can contribute to antibiotic resistance.

Antibiotic Resistance

Antibiotic resistance occurs when bacteria evolve and become resistant to the effects of medications that once killed them or inhibited their growth. Overprescribing antibiotics, especially for viral infections, can accelerate this process, making bacterial infections harder to treat in the future.

Symptomatic Treatment

For viral infections like the flu, treatment typically focuses on alleviating symptoms rather than curing the infection. Physicians may recommend rest, hydration, and over-the-counter medications to relieve fever and aches, rather than antibiotics, which do not address the underlying viral cause.

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