Question

The antibiotic penicillin was discovered by:

• A. Alexander Fleming
• B. Ernst Boris Chain
• C. Robert Hooke
• D. Howard Florey

Answer 1

The correct option is A

Alexander Fleming

The correct option is (A):

Explanation of the correct option:

1. Alexander Fleming was a physician who discovered the antibiotic penicillin.
2. He found out that the fungus Penicillium produces chemicals that can control or kill bacterial pathogens.
3. Penicillin is the first antibiotic that was discovered and for this, he received the Nobel Prize.

Explanation of the incorrect options:

Option (B):

Ernst Boris Chain worked on the process of the development of penicillin in sufficient quantities.

Option (C):

1. Robert Hooke discovered the cell while observing the cork under a microscope.
2. He observed the honeycomb structure of cells for the first time in 1665.

Option (D):

Howard Florey helped produce penicillin in enough quantities to make it readily available for people.

Final Answer: The antibiotic penicillin was discovered by Alexander Fleming.