Introduction / Context:
Penicillin is one of the first and most famous antibiotics discovered, and it revolutionised the treatment of bacterial infections. General science questions often ask from which type of organism penicillin is obtained, because this illustrates the important role of microorganisms in producing medically valuable compounds. Knowing the source of penicillin also helps students differentiate between bacterial and fungal products in microbiology.
Given Data / Assumptions:
• The question asks from which organism penicillin is obtained.
• Options include bacteria, fungi, algae and lichens.
• We assume awareness of Alexander Fleming's discovery and basic microbiology.
Concept / Approach:
Penicillin was originally discovered as a substance produced by a mould belonging to the genus Penicillium, such as Penicillium notatum (now P. chrysogenum). Moulds of this genus are fungi, not bacteria or algae. The antibiotic is secreted into the surrounding medium and can inhibit the growth of certain bacteria by interfering with cell wall synthesis. Therefore, the type of organism that produces penicillin is a fungus, making ‘‘Fungi’’ the correct answer.
Step-by-Step Solution:
1. Recall the historical story: Alexander Fleming noticed that a mould contaminant inhibited bacterial growth on a culture plate.
2. The mould was identified as belonging to the genus Penicillium, which is a fungus.
3. The active substance produced by this fungus was named penicillin.
4. Bacteria can also produce antibiotics, but in this specific case the producer is fungal.
5. Algae and lichens are not known as the original sources of penicillin.
6. Thus, the correct option is ‘‘Fungi’’.
Verification / Alternative check:
Microbiology and pharmacology texts consistently describe penicillin as a beta-lactam antibiotic derived from species of Penicillium fungi. Industrial production methods have refined and optimised the fungal strains used to produce penicillin on a large scale. This unanimous classification confirms that fungi are the source organism type for penicillin.
Why Other Options Are Wrong:
Option A, bacteria, is incorrect in this context, although many other antibiotics such as streptomycin are indeed produced by bacteria. Option C, algae, are photosynthetic organisms typically found in aquatic environments and are not known for producing penicillin. Option D, lichens, are symbiotic associations between fungi and algae or cyanobacteria and are unrelated to the original penicillin discovery. These alternatives help test whether candidates can recall the specific fungal origin of penicillin.
Common Pitfalls:
A common mistake is to assume that all antibiotics come from bacteria, since they are frequently used to treat bacterial infections. Another pitfall is to confuse the producing organism with the target organisms; penicillin is produced by fungi but acts against certain bacteria. Remember that the name Penicillium itself hints at the origin: the antibiotic penicillin is obtained from
fungi of this genus.
Final Answer:
Penicillin, the well-known antibiotic, is obtained from
fungi (moulds of the genus Penicillium).
Discussion & Comments