The first antibiotic to be widely used, it was developed from a type of mold first discovered
by Scottish scientist Alexander Fleming. His discovery led to the development of a wide variety of antibiotics. The biggest difference between bacterial and normal cells is the thick cell wall that protects the bacterial cell membrane. Normal human cells do not have this cell wall, and so any substance that interferes only with cell wall formation could not damage a human. Penicillins and related antibiotics work by interfering with the production of the bacterial cell wall, which is why they are among the safest of drugs. Today there are more than 20 different kinds of penicillins used to treat a variety of infections.
by Scottish scientist Alexander Fleming. His discovery led to the development of a wide variety of antibiotics. The biggest difference between bacterial and normal cells is the thick cell wall that protects the bacterial cell membrane. Normal human cells do not have this cell wall, and so any substance that interferes only with cell wall formation could not damage a human. Penicillins and related antibiotics work by interfering with the production of the bacterial cell wall, which is why they are among the safest of drugs. Today there are more than 20 different kinds of penicillins used to treat a variety of infections.
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