The sentences below describe the historical development of penicillin as a therapeutic medicine. Arrange the sentences in the correct chronological and logical sequence.
- 1In 1928, Alexander Fleming discovered the antibacterial properties of a mold secretion he named penicillin, though his inability to isolate the unstable compound prevented immediate medical application.
- 2This decade-long research plateau was broken when Howard Florey and Ernst Chain assembled a team at Oxford to reinvestigate natural antibacterial agents, focusing their efforts on Fleming's discovery.
- 3After purifying and stabilizing the compound, the Oxford researchers demonstrated its therapeutic value in animal trials, confirming its potential to treat systemic infections.
- 4To scale up manufacturing for wartime casualties, the researchers collaborated with American factories, which successfully developed deep-tank fermentation methods for mass production.
Answer
The correct sequence begins with the discovery of penicillin in 1928, followed by the research plateau and the subsequent involvement of the Oxford team, then the purification of the compound for animal trials, and finally the transition to industrial mass production in collaboration with American factories.
The correct sequence begins with the discovery of penicillin in 1928. It then transitions to the decade-long research plateau that followed, which was ended by the Oxford team's work. Once the Oxford team focused on the compound, they purified and stabilized it for animal trials. Finally, the successful animal trials allowed researchers to collaborate with American factories to scale up mass production.
Step-by-Step Solution
Key Concept
Chronological and logical flow in a process narrative.