Penicillin's origin and use

Steps:

• Recall that penicillin is an antibiotic discovered from a mold.
• Identify the producer as the fungus Penicillium species.
• Note that antibiotics like penicillin target bacterial cell walls, not viruses.
• Match the producer (fungus) and target (bacterial) to option C.

Why C is correct:

• Penicillin is produced by the fungus Penicillium chrysogenum, which secretes it as a defense; it treats bacterial infections by inhibiting cell wall synthesis, as defined in microbiology.

Why the others are wrong:

• A: Bacteria do not produce penicillin; it's a fungal metabolite.
• B: Bacteria do not produce it, and penicillin is ineffective against viral infections.
• D: Penicillin treats bacterial, not viral, infections.

Final answer: C