Question

In a mixed culture of slow and fast growing bacteria, penicillin will

• A. Kill the fast growing bacteria more than the slow growing
• B. Kill slow growing bacteria more than the fast growing
• C. Kill both the fast and slow growing bacteria equally
• D. Will not kill bacteria at all

Answer 1

The correct option is A Kill the fast growing bacteria more than the slow growing

The antibiotic penicillin is obtained from the fungi Penicillium notatum or Penicillium chrysogenum. It inhibits the cell wall formation in bacteria. In rapidly dividing cells the cell wall formation will be faster hence, this antibiotic will kill rapidly growing bacteria more than the slow-growing bacteria. Thus the correct answer is option A.