For which of the following would antibiotics be a chemical management option?

Antibiotics are a class of antimicrobial agents specifically designed to target and inhibit the growth of bacteria. Their mode of action often involves disrupting various cellular processes in bacterial cells, ultimately leading to death or the prevention of replication. This makes them effective for treating infections caused by bacterial pathogens, which is why they are considered a viable chemical management option for bacteria.

In contrast, antibiotics do not have an effect on viruses, fungi, or nematodes, as each of these organisms has different biological structures and life processes that antibiotics are not designed to target. For instance, viral infections require antiviral medications, while fungal infections typically need antifungal treatments. Nematodes, which are a type of parasitic worm, require different nematicides for effective management. Therefore, the use of antibiotics is specifically applicable to bacterial management due to their targeted mechanism of action.