In 1928, Alexander Fleming, a Scottish scientist, discovered penicillin after mold spores landed on a petri dish in his lab while he was away. Upon his return, he found that the mold had killed bacteria around it. The mold belonged to the Penicillium genus, and the antibacterial compound produced by it was named penicillin. This compound disrupts bacterial cell walls, causing them to break down and kill the bacteria.
Penicillin revolutionized medicine, saving countless lives. During World War II, scientists learned to mass-produce penicillin. However, overuse has led to bacterial resistance, making it less effective.
Some people think they are allergic to penicillin, but the majority are not. True allergic reactions are rare and can be dangerous. Most people outgrow the allergy, and penicillin may one day be lifesaving for them.
Vocabulary:
• Spores (noun): tiny cells capable of developing into new organisms, especially fungi or bacteria.
• Petri dish (noun): a shallow, flat dish used in laboratories to grow cultures of bacteria or mold.
• Germinate (verb): to begin to grow or develop, often used in reference to seeds or fungi.
• Incubator (noun): a device used to maintain optimal conditions for growing bacteria or other organisms.
• Colony (noun): a group of organisms living together, such as bacteria or fungi.
• Secreting (verb): releasing or producing a substance, often in reference to natural bodily processes.
• Compound (noun): a substance made from two or more elements or ingredients.
• Antibacterial (adjective): capable of killing or inhibiting the growth of bacteria.
• Resistance (noun): the ability of an organism or bacteria to resist the effects of a drug or treatment.
Source: Ted-Ed