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7 Mar 2023

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How Was Penicillin Discovered and Why It Matters for New Antibiotics

Penicillin: A Revolutionary Antibiotic Discovery

Penicillin, the first antibiotic, revolutionized... Show more

PENICILLIN
Penicillin was the first antibiotic which had its benefits and problems during it's development and it's
release. This is from it

The Discovery and Development of Penicillin

How was penicillin discovered and what impact did it have on medicine? This page explores the journey of penicillin from a chance observation to a revolutionary antibiotic that changed the course of medical history.

In 1928, Alexander Fleming discovered penicillin in an extraordinary twist of fate. Fleming had left his laboratory window open, allowing mold spores to contaminate a culture dish. He noticed that the mold had killed the bacteria in the dish, leading to one of the most significant medical discoveries of the 20th century.

Highlight: The discovery of penicillin showcases how serendipity can play a crucial role in scientific breakthroughs.

The development of penicillin as a usable drug, however, was not immediate. It required extensive research and substantial funding. In 1937, Howard Florey and Ernst Chain began research at Oxford University after reading Fleming's published findings. Their work was pivotal in transforming Fleming's initial discovery into a practical medical treatment.

Vocabulary: Antibiotic - A substance that can destroy or inhibit the growth of bacteria and other microorganisms.

The benefits of penicillin were groundbreaking. Unlike antiseptics, which could only be used externally, penicillin was an antibiotic that could fight infections inside the body. This internal application opened up new possibilities for treating a wide range of bacterial diseases.

Example: Penicillin proved effective against infections that were previously difficult or impossible to treat, such as pneumonia and blood poisoning.

The development of penicillin faced several challenges. It required significant government funding and additional scientific research to turn Fleming's discovery into a viable drug. The first human trial of penicillin took place in 1941, proving successful but highlighting the need for increased production.

Quote: "Penicillin required government funding and additional scientific research to turn Fleming's initial discovery into a drug that could be used to save thousands of lives."

By 1942, the US and British governments were sharing the cost of producing penicillin. This collaboration led to a major breakthrough in 1944 when enough penicillin was produced to treat all wounded US and Allied soldiers on D-Day, marking a turning point in wartime medicine.

However, the widespread use of penicillin since 1945 has led to new challenges. The overuse of antibiotics has resulted in the emergence of antibiotic-resistant bacteria, making it increasingly difficult to develop new effective antibiotics.

Definition: Antibiotic resistance - The ability of bacteria to survive exposure to antibiotics that were previously effective against them.

This page underscores the importance of penicillin in medical history while also highlighting the ongoing challenges in antibiotic development and use. It serves as a reminder of the need for responsible antibiotic use and continued research to combat antibiotic resistance.



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The app is very easy to use and well designed. I have found everything I was looking for so far and have been able to learn a lot from the presentations! I will definitely use the app for a class assignment! And of course it also helps a lot as an inspiration.

Stefan S

iOS user

This app is really great. There are so many study notes and help [...]. My problem subject is French, for example, and the app has so many options for help. Thanks to this app, I have improved my French. I would recommend it to anyone.

Samantha Klich

Android user

Wow, I am really amazed. I just tried the app because I've seen it advertised many times and was absolutely stunned. This app is THE HELP you want for school and above all, it offers so many things, such as workouts and fact sheets, which have been VERY helpful to me personally.

Anna

iOS user

Best app on earth! no words because it’s too good

Thomas R

iOS user

Just amazing. Let's me revise 10x better, this app is a quick 10/10. I highly recommend it to anyone. I can watch and search for notes. I can save them in the subject folder. I can revise it any time when I come back. If you haven't tried this app, you're really missing out.

Basil

Android user

This app has made me feel so much more confident in my exam prep, not only through boosting my own self confidence through the features that allow you to connect with others and feel less alone, but also through the way the app itself is centred around making you feel better. It is easy to navigate, fun to use, and helpful to anyone struggling in absolutely any way.

David K

iOS user

The app's just great! All I have to do is enter the topic in the search bar and I get the response real fast. I don't have to watch 10 YouTube videos to understand something, so I'm saving my time. Highly recommended!

Sudenaz Ocak

Android user

In school I was really bad at maths but thanks to the app, I am doing better now. I am so grateful that you made the app.

Greenlight Bonnie

Android user

very reliable app to help and grow your ideas of Maths, English and other related topics in your works. please use this app if your struggling in areas, this app is key for that. wish I'd of done a review before. and it's also free so don't worry about that.

Rohan U

Android user

I know a lot of apps use fake accounts to boost their reviews but this app deserves it all. Originally I was getting 4 in my English exams and this time I got a grade 7. I didn’t even know about this app three days until the exam and it has helped A LOT. Please actually trust me and use it as I’m sure you too will see developments.

Xander S

iOS user

THE QUIZES AND FLASHCARDS ARE SO USEFUL AND I LOVE THE SCHOOLGPT. IT ALSO IS LITREALLY LIKE CHATGPT BUT SMARTER!! HELPED ME WITH MY MASCARA PROBLEMS TOO!! AS WELL AS MY REAL SUBJECTS ! DUHHH 😍😁😲🤑💗✨🎀😮

Elisha

iOS user

This apps acc the goat. I find revision so boring but this app makes it so easy to organize it all and then you can ask the freeeee ai to test yourself so good and you can easily upload your own stuff. highly recommend as someone taking mocks now

Paul T

iOS user

The app is very easy to use and well designed. I have found everything I was looking for so far and have been able to learn a lot from the presentations! I will definitely use the app for a class assignment! And of course it also helps a lot as an inspiration.

Stefan S

iOS user

This app is really great. There are so many study notes and help [...]. My problem subject is French, for example, and the app has so many options for help. Thanks to this app, I have improved my French. I would recommend it to anyone.

Samantha Klich

Android user

Wow, I am really amazed. I just tried the app because I've seen it advertised many times and was absolutely stunned. This app is THE HELP you want for school and above all, it offers so many things, such as workouts and fact sheets, which have been VERY helpful to me personally.

Anna

iOS user

Best app on earth! no words because it’s too good

Thomas R

iOS user

Just amazing. Let's me revise 10x better, this app is a quick 10/10. I highly recommend it to anyone. I can watch and search for notes. I can save them in the subject folder. I can revise it any time when I come back. If you haven't tried this app, you're really missing out.

Basil

Android user

This app has made me feel so much more confident in my exam prep, not only through boosting my own self confidence through the features that allow you to connect with others and feel less alone, but also through the way the app itself is centred around making you feel better. It is easy to navigate, fun to use, and helpful to anyone struggling in absolutely any way.

David K

iOS user

The app's just great! All I have to do is enter the topic in the search bar and I get the response real fast. I don't have to watch 10 YouTube videos to understand something, so I'm saving my time. Highly recommended!

Sudenaz Ocak

Android user

In school I was really bad at maths but thanks to the app, I am doing better now. I am so grateful that you made the app.

Greenlight Bonnie

Android user

very reliable app to help and grow your ideas of Maths, English and other related topics in your works. please use this app if your struggling in areas, this app is key for that. wish I'd of done a review before. and it's also free so don't worry about that.

Rohan U

Android user

I know a lot of apps use fake accounts to boost their reviews but this app deserves it all. Originally I was getting 4 in my English exams and this time I got a grade 7. I didn’t even know about this app three days until the exam and it has helped A LOT. Please actually trust me and use it as I’m sure you too will see developments.

Xander S

iOS user

THE QUIZES AND FLASHCARDS ARE SO USEFUL AND I LOVE THE SCHOOLGPT. IT ALSO IS LITREALLY LIKE CHATGPT BUT SMARTER!! HELPED ME WITH MY MASCARA PROBLEMS TOO!! AS WELL AS MY REAL SUBJECTS ! DUHHH 😍😁😲🤑💗✨🎀😮

Elisha

iOS user

This apps acc the goat. I find revision so boring but this app makes it so easy to organize it all and then you can ask the freeeee ai to test yourself so good and you can easily upload your own stuff. highly recommend as someone taking mocks now

Paul T

iOS user

 

History

154

7 Mar 2023

1 page

How Was Penicillin Discovered and Why It Matters for New Antibiotics

Penicillin: A Revolutionary Antibiotic Discovery

Penicillin, the first antibiotic, revolutionized medicine but also brought challenges. Discovered by chance in 1928, it took years of research and government funding to develop into a life-saving drug. While penicillin effectively fought infections internally,... Show more

PENICILLIN
Penicillin was the first antibiotic which had its benefits and problems during it's development and it's
release. This is from it

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The Discovery and Development of Penicillin

How was penicillin discovered and what impact did it have on medicine? This page explores the journey of penicillin from a chance observation to a revolutionary antibiotic that changed the course of medical history.

In 1928, Alexander Fleming discovered penicillin in an extraordinary twist of fate. Fleming had left his laboratory window open, allowing mold spores to contaminate a culture dish. He noticed that the mold had killed the bacteria in the dish, leading to one of the most significant medical discoveries of the 20th century.

Highlight: The discovery of penicillin showcases how serendipity can play a crucial role in scientific breakthroughs.

The development of penicillin as a usable drug, however, was not immediate. It required extensive research and substantial funding. In 1937, Howard Florey and Ernst Chain began research at Oxford University after reading Fleming's published findings. Their work was pivotal in transforming Fleming's initial discovery into a practical medical treatment.

Vocabulary: Antibiotic - A substance that can destroy or inhibit the growth of bacteria and other microorganisms.

The benefits of penicillin were groundbreaking. Unlike antiseptics, which could only be used externally, penicillin was an antibiotic that could fight infections inside the body. This internal application opened up new possibilities for treating a wide range of bacterial diseases.

Example: Penicillin proved effective against infections that were previously difficult or impossible to treat, such as pneumonia and blood poisoning.

The development of penicillin faced several challenges. It required significant government funding and additional scientific research to turn Fleming's discovery into a viable drug. The first human trial of penicillin took place in 1941, proving successful but highlighting the need for increased production.

Quote: "Penicillin required government funding and additional scientific research to turn Fleming's initial discovery into a drug that could be used to save thousands of lives."

By 1942, the US and British governments were sharing the cost of producing penicillin. This collaboration led to a major breakthrough in 1944 when enough penicillin was produced to treat all wounded US and Allied soldiers on D-Day, marking a turning point in wartime medicine.

However, the widespread use of penicillin since 1945 has led to new challenges. The overuse of antibiotics has resulted in the emergence of antibiotic-resistant bacteria, making it increasingly difficult to develop new effective antibiotics.

Definition: Antibiotic resistance - The ability of bacteria to survive exposure to antibiotics that were previously effective against them.

This page underscores the importance of penicillin in medical history while also highlighting the ongoing challenges in antibiotic development and use. It serves as a reminder of the need for responsible antibiotic use and continued research to combat antibiotic resistance.

Can't find what you're looking for? Explore other subjects.

Students love us — and so will you.

4.9/5

App Store

4.8/5

Google Play

The app is very easy to use and well designed. I have found everything I was looking for so far and have been able to learn a lot from the presentations! I will definitely use the app for a class assignment! And of course it also helps a lot as an inspiration.

Stefan S

iOS user

This app is really great. There are so many study notes and help [...]. My problem subject is French, for example, and the app has so many options for help. Thanks to this app, I have improved my French. I would recommend it to anyone.

Samantha Klich

Android user

Wow, I am really amazed. I just tried the app because I've seen it advertised many times and was absolutely stunned. This app is THE HELP you want for school and above all, it offers so many things, such as workouts and fact sheets, which have been VERY helpful to me personally.

Anna

iOS user

Best app on earth! no words because it’s too good

Thomas R

iOS user

Just amazing. Let's me revise 10x better, this app is a quick 10/10. I highly recommend it to anyone. I can watch and search for notes. I can save them in the subject folder. I can revise it any time when I come back. If you haven't tried this app, you're really missing out.

Basil

Android user

This app has made me feel so much more confident in my exam prep, not only through boosting my own self confidence through the features that allow you to connect with others and feel less alone, but also through the way the app itself is centred around making you feel better. It is easy to navigate, fun to use, and helpful to anyone struggling in absolutely any way.

David K

iOS user

The app's just great! All I have to do is enter the topic in the search bar and I get the response real fast. I don't have to watch 10 YouTube videos to understand something, so I'm saving my time. Highly recommended!

Sudenaz Ocak

Android user

In school I was really bad at maths but thanks to the app, I am doing better now. I am so grateful that you made the app.

Greenlight Bonnie

Android user

very reliable app to help and grow your ideas of Maths, English and other related topics in your works. please use this app if your struggling in areas, this app is key for that. wish I'd of done a review before. and it's also free so don't worry about that.

Rohan U

Android user

I know a lot of apps use fake accounts to boost their reviews but this app deserves it all. Originally I was getting 4 in my English exams and this time I got a grade 7. I didn’t even know about this app three days until the exam and it has helped A LOT. Please actually trust me and use it as I’m sure you too will see developments.

Xander S

iOS user

THE QUIZES AND FLASHCARDS ARE SO USEFUL AND I LOVE THE SCHOOLGPT. IT ALSO IS LITREALLY LIKE CHATGPT BUT SMARTER!! HELPED ME WITH MY MASCARA PROBLEMS TOO!! AS WELL AS MY REAL SUBJECTS ! DUHHH 😍😁😲🤑💗✨🎀😮

Elisha

iOS user

This apps acc the goat. I find revision so boring but this app makes it so easy to organize it all and then you can ask the freeeee ai to test yourself so good and you can easily upload your own stuff. highly recommend as someone taking mocks now

Paul T

iOS user

The app is very easy to use and well designed. I have found everything I was looking for so far and have been able to learn a lot from the presentations! I will definitely use the app for a class assignment! And of course it also helps a lot as an inspiration.

Stefan S

iOS user

This app is really great. There are so many study notes and help [...]. My problem subject is French, for example, and the app has so many options for help. Thanks to this app, I have improved my French. I would recommend it to anyone.

Samantha Klich

Android user

Wow, I am really amazed. I just tried the app because I've seen it advertised many times and was absolutely stunned. This app is THE HELP you want for school and above all, it offers so many things, such as workouts and fact sheets, which have been VERY helpful to me personally.

Anna

iOS user

Best app on earth! no words because it’s too good

Thomas R

iOS user

Just amazing. Let's me revise 10x better, this app is a quick 10/10. I highly recommend it to anyone. I can watch and search for notes. I can save them in the subject folder. I can revise it any time when I come back. If you haven't tried this app, you're really missing out.

Basil

Android user

This app has made me feel so much more confident in my exam prep, not only through boosting my own self confidence through the features that allow you to connect with others and feel less alone, but also through the way the app itself is centred around making you feel better. It is easy to navigate, fun to use, and helpful to anyone struggling in absolutely any way.

David K

iOS user

The app's just great! All I have to do is enter the topic in the search bar and I get the response real fast. I don't have to watch 10 YouTube videos to understand something, so I'm saving my time. Highly recommended!

Sudenaz Ocak

Android user

In school I was really bad at maths but thanks to the app, I am doing better now. I am so grateful that you made the app.

Greenlight Bonnie

Android user

very reliable app to help and grow your ideas of Maths, English and other related topics in your works. please use this app if your struggling in areas, this app is key for that. wish I'd of done a review before. and it's also free so don't worry about that.

Rohan U

Android user

I know a lot of apps use fake accounts to boost their reviews but this app deserves it all. Originally I was getting 4 in my English exams and this time I got a grade 7. I didn’t even know about this app three days until the exam and it has helped A LOT. Please actually trust me and use it as I’m sure you too will see developments.

Xander S

iOS user

THE QUIZES AND FLASHCARDS ARE SO USEFUL AND I LOVE THE SCHOOLGPT. IT ALSO IS LITREALLY LIKE CHATGPT BUT SMARTER!! HELPED ME WITH MY MASCARA PROBLEMS TOO!! AS WELL AS MY REAL SUBJECTS ! DUHHH 😍😁😲🤑💗✨🎀😮

Elisha

iOS user

This apps acc the goat. I find revision so boring but this app makes it so easy to organize it all and then you can ask the freeeee ai to test yourself so good and you can easily upload your own stuff. highly recommend as someone taking mocks now

Paul T

iOS user