Explain why it is important to take a full course of prescribed antibiotics.

An individual may feel better before completing a full course of antibiotics, however, this does not mean that all of the bacteria in the body have been destroyed.

If low levels of bacteria remain in the body and antibiotics are stopped then the remaining bacteria could reproduce. 

Bacteria that are more resistant to the antibiotic tend to survive longer, therefore the resistant population survives and will reproduce. 

The patient is likely to then get ill again as the bacteria keep reproducing and can then be resistant to standard antibiotics. 

LM
Answered by Laura M. Biology tutor

10303 Views

See similar Biology GCSE tutors

Related Biology GCSE answers

All answers ▸

Explain the lock and key mechanism in relation to enzymes.


Describe ways in which a healthy artery differs from an artery affected by coronary heart disease


What is cancer and what are the most common types?


Which of the following are found in plant cells but not in animal cells? Mitochondria, Cell Wall, Cell membrane, Chloroplasts, Cytoplasm, Vacuole


We're here to help

contact us iconContact ustelephone icon+44 (0) 203 773 6020
Facebook logoInstagram logoLinkedIn logo

MyTutor is part of the IXL family of brands:

© 2026 by IXL Learning