How did Alexander Fleming's research help solve a major societal problem?

• A. He identified the structure of DNA, enabling advances in genetic engineering.
• B. He developed the first vaccine for smallpox, eradicating the disease worldwide.
• C. He invented pasteurization, making food and beverages safer for consumption.
• D. He discovered penicillin, which led to the development of antibiotics to treat bacterial infections.

Answer: (D)

Verified step by step guidance

1. Understand the historical context: Before Alexander Fleming's discovery, bacterial infections were a leading cause of death, and there were no effective treatments to combat them.
2. Recognize Fleming's key contribution: He observed that a mold (Penicillium notatum) produced a substance that killed bacteria, which he named penicillin.
3. Connect the discovery to its impact: Penicillin became the first widely used antibiotic, revolutionizing medicine by providing a way to treat bacterial infections effectively.
4. Identify the societal problem solved: The development of antibiotics drastically reduced mortality from bacterial diseases, improving public health worldwide.
5. Summarize the significance: Fleming's research laid the foundation for modern antibiotics, which continue to save millions of lives by treating infections that were once fatal.