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what is penicillin?
penicillin is a group of antibiotics that can be used to treat a variety of bacterial infections. they work by breaking down the cell walls of bacteria.
when was it discovered?
penicillin was discovered by chance in 1928 london. the mold on an agar plate managed to stop bacteria from growing, and it was later identified to be a part of the penicillium genus.
why did it replace phage therapy?
bacteriophage therapy was what a good portion of people would turn to in order to treat bacterial infections before widespread usage of antibiotics such as penicillin. research for this therapy died out around the 1940's because penicillin seemed much more promising, not to mention palatable.
where does penicillin come from?
penicillin is a product of penicillium mold. scientists will grow said mold in fermentation tanks and separate the penicillin secretions. it is then purified and bottled.
who discovered it?
alexander fleming was the scientist who discovered penicillin. he was a bacteriologist working at st. mary's hospital when he made the accidental discovery. he's also known for discovering the enzyme lysosome.
how have antibiotics shaped today's society?
the widespread availability and usage of antibiotics in general has both benefitted and nearly doomed our society. for the past century or so, people have been able to live longer lives and not die from common infections, however bacteria are starting to evolve in order to outsmart antibiotics, creating superbugs.