Question

What is the difference between antibiotics and antibodies?

Answer 1

Hint: Both the antibody and antibiotics are used to provide protection from infectious microorganisms. Other than that, antibiotics suspend the growth or sometimes kill the bacteria whereas the antibodies are an inherited defense mechanism of the human body that comes into play when any microorganism tries to invade the human body.

Complete answer:
The term antibiotic is derived from Greek word anti meaning against and bios meaning life, and is broadly used to refer to any substance used against microbes. An antibiotic is basically a type of antimicrobial substance active against bacteria. It is the most important type of antibacterial agent for fighting bacterial infections, and antibiotic medications are widely used in the treatment and prevention of such infections. They may either kill or inhibit the growth of bacteria. A limited number of antibiotics also possess antiprotozoal activity.
Furthermore, an antibody is a Y-shaped protein produced mainly by plasma cells. It is also known as immunoglobulin (Ig). It is used by the immune system to destroy pathogens such as pathogenic bacteria and viruses. The antibody recognizes a unique molecule of the pathogen, called an antigen. Antibodies are secreted by B-cells of the immune system, mostly by differentiated B-cells called plasma cells.

Additional information:
Antibodies can occur in two physical forms, a soluble form that is secreted from the cells to be free in blood plasma, and a membrane bound form that is attached to the surface of a B-cell and is referred to as B-cell receptor (BCR). The BCR is found on the surface of B-cells and activates the antibody factories called plasma cells or memory B-cells. These cells survive in the body and remember that same antigen so that B-cells can respond faster upon future exposure.

Note: In most cases, interaction of the B-cell with a T helper cell is necessary to process full activation of the B cell and, therefore antibody generation following antigen binding. Soluble antibodies are released into the blood and tissue fluids, as well as many secretions to continue to survey for invading microorganisms.