What are the differences between antibodies and antibiotics?

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