Question

Who discovered the first antibiotic?
A. A. Fleming
B. W. Flemming
C. S. Waksman
D. Louis Pasteur

Answer 1

Hint:-The first antibiotic was discovered accidentally by Alexander fleming. He discovered penicillin, in
1928, released from the Penicillium notatum.

Complete step-by-step solution:-The word antibiotic is made up of antibiotic, anti means against and biotic means living organisms. So, antibiotics are the substances produced by the microorganisms that can kill or inhibit the growth of other bacteria and fungi.Sir Alexander Fleming, a Scottish researcher, discovered the first antibiotic penicillin, in 1928.One day, Fleming was experimenting with the influenza virus in the Laboratory at St. Mary’s Hospital inLondon.He went on the vacation, when Fleming returned after two-week, he found that he had left a few samples of staphylococci culture on plates and forgotten them in the laboratory. Amoled called penicillium notatum had developed on an accidentally contaminated staphylococcus culture plate. Heexamined the mold, and noticed that the mold prevented the growth of staphylococcus in the culture by releasing some substance. He named the substance released by the fungus ‘Penicillium’ which is the firstantibiotic.The mold has marked inhibitory, bactericidal and bacteriolytic properties to staphylococcus and other common pathogenic bacteria. Fourteen years later, in March 1942, Anne Miller became the first patient to be successfully treated with
penicillin. So, we have four options: A. Fleming, W. Flemming, S. Waksman and Louis Pasteur.As we know, A. Fleming discovered the first antibiotic. So, the correct option is A. A. Flaming.

Note:- Penicillin is one of the most widely used antibiotics. Diseases like respiratory infections, ear infections, urinary tract infections can be treated by antibiotics. Today, It is only possible because of
Fleming’s absent-minded accident.