24 Questions
What led to the discovery of penicillin in 1928?
Mold growing on a forgotten petri dish in Alexander Fleming's lab.
What is the defense mechanism of the mold Penicillium against bacterial threats?
Constantly producing penicillin.
How does penicillin work against bacteria?
By disrupting the synthesis of bacteria's cell walls, preventing reconstruction at a critical phase, and causing additional damage.
When did penicillin become commercially available?
After World War II.
What has made penicillin less effective against a growing number of bacterial infections?
Overuse of penicillin and the evolution of bacterial resistance.
What percentage of developed country residents self-identify as allergic to penicillin?
5-15%
What is the most commonly reported drug allergy?
Penicillin allergy.
How many people with a penicillin allergy outgrow it within ten years?
About 80%
In London, 1928, a colony of mold growing on a forgotten petri dish in Alexander Fleming's lab leads to the discovery of ______.
penicillin
Fleming, a Scottish scientist investigating bacterial properties, returns to find a bacteria-free zone surrounding the ______, which he names Penicillium.
mold
The mold constantly produces ______ as a defense mechanism against bacterial threats.
penicillin
Penicillin works by disrupting the synthesis of bacteria's cell walls, preventing the walls from being reconstructed at a critical phase, and causing additional ______.
damage
Penicillin remained a laboratory curiosity for some time but became commercially available after ______.
World War II
Overuse of penicillin and the evolution of bacterial resistance have made it less effective against a growing number of bacterial ______.
infections
An estimated 5-15% of developed country residents self-identify as allergic to ______, making it the most commonly reported drug allergy.
penicillin
Most penicillin allergy labels acquired during childhood are not genuine allergies but reactions between the infection and ______.
antibiotic
In London, 1928, a colony of mold growing on a forgotten petri dish in Alexander Fleming's lab leads to the discovery of ______.
penicillin
Fleming, a Scottish scientist investigating bacterial properties, returns to find a bacteria-free zone surrounding the ______, which he names Penicillium.
mold
The mold constantly produces ______ as a defense mechanism against bacterial threats.
penicillin
Overuse of penicillin and the evolution of bacterial resistance have made it less effective against a growing number of bacterial ______.
infections
An estimated 5-15% of developed country residents self-identify as allergic to ______, making it the most commonly reported drug allergy.
penicillin
Most penicillin allergy labels acquired during childhood are not genuine allergies but reactions between the infection and ______.
antibiotic
Genuine penicillin allergies, where the immune system mistakenly attacks the drug, are rare but can be ______.
dangerous
About 80% of people with a penicillin allergy outgrow it within ten years, offering hope for those currently ______.
allergic
Study Notes
- In London, 1928, a colony of mold growing on a forgotten petri dish in Alexander Fleming's lab leads to the discovery of penicillin.
- Fleming, a Scottish scientist investigating bacterial properties, returns to find a bacteria-free zone surrounding the mold, which he names Penicillium.
- The mold constantly produces penicillin as a defense mechanism against bacterial threats.
- Penicillin works by disrupting the synthesis of bacteria's cell walls, preventing the walls from being reconstructed at a critical phase, and causing additional damage.
- Penicillin remained a laboratory curiosity for some time but became commercially available after World War II, revolutionizing infection treatment.
- Overuse of penicillin and the evolution of bacterial resistance have made it less effective against a growing number of bacterial infections.
- An estimated 5-15% of developed country residents self-identify as allergic to penicillin, making it the most commonly reported drug allergy.
- Most penicillin allergy labels acquired during childhood are not genuine allergies but reactions between the infection and antibiotic.
- Genuine penicillin allergies, where the immune system mistakenly attacks the drug, are rare but can be dangerous.
- About 80% of people with a penicillin allergy outgrow it within ten years, offering hope for those currently allergic.
Test your knowledge about the discovery, properties, and impact of penicillin, the first antibiotic, and its role in revolutionizing infection treatment but also the challenges of overuse and bacterial resistance.
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