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Penicillin - GCSE History Definition

Reviewed by: Zoe Wade

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Penicillin was the first antibiotic to be developed and is used to treat infections caused by bacteria. It was discovered by Alexander Fleming in 1928 when he noticed that mould growing in his lab killed the bacteria around it. Penicillin works by attacking the walls of bacteria, eventually killing them or stopping their growth. This discovery was incredibly important in history because it allowed doctors to treat many infections that previously led to serious illness or death. Penicillin became widely used during World War II and helped save many lives, marking a significant moment in medical history.

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Zoe Wade

Reviewer: Zoe Wade

Expertise: History Content Creator

Zoe has worked in education for 10 years as a teaching assistant and a teacher. This has given her an in-depth perspective on how to support all learners to achieve to the best of their ability. She has been the Lead of Key Stage 4 History, showing her expertise in the Edexcel GCSE syllabus and how best to revise. Ever since she was a child, Zoe has been passionate about history. She believes now, more than ever, the study of history is vital to explaining the ever-changing world around us. Zoe’s focus is to create accessible content that breaks down key historical concepts and themes to achieve GCSE success.

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