Penicillin
⭐ MasteredAlexander Fleming discovered penicillin in 1928 when mould killed bacteria in a dish. It became the first widely used antibiotic and has saved millions of lives.
Antibiotics work on bacteria, not viruses.
All about Penicillin
Alexander Fleming discovered penicillin in 1928 when he noticed that a mould called Penicillium had killed bacteria growing in a dish. He realised the mould produced a substance that could fight infection, which he named penicillin.
Penicillin became the first widely used antibiotic in the 1940s, after researchers such as Howard Florey and Ernst Chain developed methods to produce it in large amounts. It has saved millions of lives and transformed medicine.
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Real-life uses of Penicillin
- Treating some serious bacterial infections
- Saving lives during wartime
- Inspiring the development of many modern antibiotics
Frequently asked questions about Penicillin
What is an antibiotic?
A medicine that kills or stops the growth of bacteria. Antibiotics do not work against viruses such as colds and flu.
Why should antibiotics only be taken when prescribed?
Taking them when not needed can make bacteria resistant, so they stop working for future infections.
Did Fleming find penicillin by accident?
Yes. He noticed the effect when he returned from a holiday to find mould growing in some of his cultures.