Unraveling the Genius: The Alexander Fleming Challenge!

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| By Kriti Bisht

Kriti Bisht

Community Contributor

Quizzes Created: 469 | Total Attempts: 69,656

Questions: 15 | Attempts: 93 | Updated: Oct 14, 2023

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The "Unraveling the Genius: The Alexander Fleming Challenge" quiz is an engaging exploration of the life and groundbreaking contributions of Sir Alexander Fleming, a bacteriologist, pharmacologist, and the father of modern antibiotics. This quiz delves into the fascinating journey of this scientific genius, who forever changed the landscape of medicine with his discovery of penicillin, the world's first widely used antibiotic. Participants will traverse through Fleming's early life, education, and the serendipitous moment that led to the discovery of penicillin, marking a pivotal moment in medical history. The quiz will also cover the profound impact of penicillin on medicine, the Read moresubsequent development of antibiotics, and Fleming's lasting legacy.

Aspiring historians, science enthusiasts, and anyone curious about the lives of great innovators will find this quiz both educational and inspiring. Whether you're a student or a seasoned professional, this quiz offers a captivating journey through the life and achievements of Alexander Fleming, showcasing his invaluable contributions to humanity's fight against infectious diseases.

Questions and Answers

1.

In which year did Alexander Fleming make the discovery of penicillin?
- A.
  
  1923
- B.
  
  1928
- C.
  
  1935
- D.
  
  1942
Correct Answer
B. 1928

Explanation
Alexander Fleming made the discovery of penicillin on September 28, 1928, while working at St. Mary's Hospital in London.

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2.

In what country was Alexander Fleming born?
- A.
  
  America
- B.
  
  France
- C.
  
  Scotland
- D.
  
  Germany
Correct Answer
C. Scotland

Explanation
Alexander Fleming was a scientist born on 6 August 1881 in Lochfield Farm, Scotland.

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3.

Which medical condition did Fleming's penicillin primarily target?
- A.
  
  Tuberculosis
- B.
  
  Malaria
- C.
  
  Syphilis
- D.
  
  Bacterial infections
Correct Answer
D. Bacterial infections

Explanation
Fleming's penicillin primarily targeted bacterial infections. The reason for this is the unique mechanism of action of penicillin. It interferes with the synthesis of bacterial cell walls, causing them to weaken and ultimately burst, leading to the death of the bacteria.

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4.

From what natural source was penicillin originally extracted?
- A.
  
  A rare orchid plant
- B.
  
  A specific species of sea sponge
- C.
  
  The Penicillium mold
- D.
  
  Arctic lichens
Correct Answer
C. The Penicillium mold

Explanation
Penicillin was originally extracted from the Penicillium mold, a group of fungi known for its antibiotic properties. Sir Alexander Fleming's discovery of penicillin was a result of observing the mold's ability to inhibit bacterial growth, ultimately leading to the development of this groundbreaking antibiotic.

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5.

Which scientific field did Fleming specialize in?
- A.
  
  Physics
- B.
  
  Chemistry
- C.
  
  Biology
- D.
  
  Astronomy
Correct Answer
B. Chemistry

Explanation
Alexander Fleming specialized in the field of Chemistry, particularly in the study of antibiotics and bacteriology. He made significant contributions to the study of bacteria and infectious diseases, particularly through his discovery of penicillin, which revolutionized the field of medicine.

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6.

What did Alexander Fleming win the Nobel Prize for?
- A.
  
  Medicine
- B.
  
  Physics
- C.
  
  Chemistry
- D.
  
  Peace
Correct Answer
A. Medicine

Explanation
Alexander Fleming won the Nobel Prize in Medicine for his discovery of penicillin and its therapeutic value.

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7.

Who did Alexander Fleming share the Nobel Prize with for their work on penicillin?
- A.
  
  Louis Pasteur
- B.
  
  Howard Florey and Ernst Boris Chain
- C.
  
  Robert Koch and Ernst Boris Chain
- D.
  
  Marie Curie
Correct Answer
B. Howard Florey and Ernst Boris Chain

Explanation
Alexander Fleming shared the Nobel Prize in in Physiology or Medicine with Howard Florey and Ernst Boris Chain for their collective efforts in the development and production of penicillin, which revolutionized the treatment of bacterial infections.

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8.

What type of bacterial culture did Alexander Fleming first test penicillin on?
- A.
  
  Streptococcus
- B.
  
  Staphylococcus
- C.
  
  Escherichia coli
- D.
  
  Mycobacterium tuberculosis
Correct Answer
B. StapHylococcus

Explanation
Alexander Fleming's groundbreaking discovery of penicillin began when he first tested the substance on a bacterial culture of Staphylococcus. He noticed that a mold from the Penicillium genus had inadvertently contaminated a petri dish containing Staphylococcus bacteria. The bacteria surrounding the mold had been killed, while those farther away remained unaffected. This serendipitous event led him to realize the mold's antibiotic properties.

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9.

In which hospital did Alexander Fleming work when he discovered penicillin?
- A.
  
  St. Joseph's Hospital
- B.
  
  St. Peter's Hospital
- C.
  
  St. Mary's Hospital
- D.
  
  St. John's Hospital
Correct Answer
C. St. Mary's Hospital

Explanation
Alexander Fleming was working in the Laboratory of the Inoculation Department St. Mary's Hospital in London when he made the accidental discovery of penicillin.

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10.

Which antimicrobial enzyme did Alexander Fleming discover and study?
- A.
  
  Penicillinase
- B.
  
  Lysozyme
- C.
  
  Ribonuclease
- D.
  
  Lactase
Correct Answer
B. Lysozyme

Explanation
Alexander Fleming discovered and studied the enzyme lysozyme, which has antimicrobial properties and plays a role in breaking down bacterial cell walls. This discovery was a significant contribution to our understanding of the body's natural defenses against bacterial infections.

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11.

Where did Alexander Fleming complete his medical studies and obtain his medical degree?
- A.
  
  Harvard Medical School
- B.
  
  University of Oxford
- C.
  
  St Mary's Hospital Medical School
- D.
  
  Cambridge University
Correct Answer
C. St Mary's Hospital Medical School

Explanation
Fleming studied at St Mary's Hospital Medical School, a part of Imperial College London, in Paddington and obtained his MBBS from the school in 1906.

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12.

In which war did Alexander Fleming serve in?
- A.
  
  World II
- B.
  
  Korean War
- C.
  
  Vietnam War
- D.
  
  World War I
Correct Answer
D. World War I

Explanation
Throughout the entirety of World War I, Alexander Fleming served as a member of the Royal Army Medical Corps. He was commissioned as a lieutenant in 1914 and later promoted to the rank of captain in 1917.

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13.

What was the name of Alexander Fleming's first wife?
- A.
  
  Margaret Fleming
- B.
  
  Mary Fleming
- C.
  
  Sarah Fleming
- D.
  
  Amelia Fleming
Correct Answer
C. Sarah Fleming

Explanation
The name of Alexander Fleming's wife was Sarah Fleming. They got married in the year 1915 and were together until her demise in 1949.

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14.

In which year did Alexander Fleming pass away?
- A.
  
  1945
- B.
  
  1955
- C.
  
  1965
- D.
  
  1975
Correct Answer
B. 1955

Explanation
Alexander Fleming died of a heart attack on March 11, 1955, leaving behind a remarkable legacy in the field of medicine.

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15.

What was penicillin originally called?
- A.
  
  Mold broth
- B.
  
  Antibiotic-X
- C.
  
  Filtrate
- D.
  
  Microbe mender
Correct Answer
A. Mold broth

Explanation
Penicillin, when initially discovered by Sir Alexander Fleming, was informally referred to as "mold broth." This name reflected the serendipitous nature of its discovery, as Fleming noticed the antibiotic properties of mold when he observed that a mold called Penicillium notatum had killed bacteria in a petri dish.

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Current Version
Oct 14, 2023

Quiz Edited by
ProProfs Editorial Team
Oct 13, 2023

Quiz Created by
Kriti Bisht

Unraveling the Genius: The Alexander Fleming Challenge!

In which year did Alexander Fleming make the discovery of penicillin?

In what country was Alexander Fleming born?

Which medical condition did Fleming's penicillin primarily target?

From what natural source was penicillin originally extracted?

Which scientific field did Fleming specialize in?

What did Alexander Fleming win the Nobel Prize for?

Who did Alexander Fleming share the Nobel Prize with for their work on penicillin?

What type of bacterial culture did Alexander Fleming first test penicillin on?

In which hospital did Alexander Fleming work when he discovered penicillin?

Which antimicrobial enzyme did Alexander Fleming discover and study?

Where did Alexander Fleming complete his medical studies and obtain his medical degree?

In which war did Alexander Fleming serve in?

What was the name of Alexander Fleming's first wife?

In which year did Alexander Fleming pass away?

What was penicillin originally called?