What are the differences between antibodies and antibiotics?

Question

Accepted Answer

Basis of differentiation

Antibodies

Antibiotics

Definition

Are large, Y-shaped proteins produced naturally by the body’s immune system to combat the harmful effect of disease-causing microbes

Are chemicals or drugs produced from microorganisms to selectively inhibit the growth of bacteria and treat infections

Effectiveness

Effective against bacteria, viruses, and other chemicals

Effective only against bacteria

Origin

Produced by white blood cells in the body in response to an invading antigen

Produced in the lab

Size

Larger in size

Smaller in size

Function

Protect the body against diseases

Kill and inhibits the growth and development of bacteria

Examples

IgM, IgG, IgA, IgD and IgE

Penicillin, Ampicillin, Keflex, Zithromax

Basis of differentiation	Antibodies	Antibiotics
Definition	Are large, Y-shaped proteins produced naturally by the body’s immune system to combat the harmful effect of disease-causing microbes	Are chemicals or drugs produced from microorganisms to selectively inhibit the growth of bacteria and treat infections
Effectiveness	Effective against bacteria, viruses, and other chemicals	Effective only against bacteria
Origin	Produced by white blood cells in the body in response to an invading antigen	Produced in the lab
Size	Larger in size	Smaller in size
Function	Protect the body against diseases	Kill and inhibits the growth and development of bacteria
Examples	IgM, IgG, IgA, IgD and IgE	Penicillin, Ampicillin, Keflex, Zithromax