Scientist Alexander Fleming was looking for a chemical that would be effective in combating bacteria. In order to test various chemicals, he grew cultures of the bacteria, Staphylococcus. One day in 1928, as he was working in his laboratory, Fleming noticed that one of his culture plates had mold growing on it. Many people might have thrown the plate away thinking that it was useless, but Fleming did not. He noticed something―that no bacteria were growing near the mold. He hypothesized that the mold was killing the bacteria. Fleming had just discovered penicillin.
He began working to separate the chemical that killed the bacteria from all the other chemicals in the mold. Unfortunately, he was unable to do so. However, in 1940, two chemists, Ernst Chain and Howard Florey, did manage to separate the chemical penicillin. In 1945, all three men were awarded the Nobel Prize in Medicine.
Based on the information, which statement represents the best conclusion?
A . Fleming developed penicillin as an antibiotic.
B . Fleming did not deserve his award as much as Chain and Florey.
C . A discovery is sometimes an unexpected, accidental observation.
D . In science, all conclusions come from carefully prepared experiments.
E . Penicillin limits mold growth.
Answer: C
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