Final answer:
Antibiotics are produced by both bacteria and fungi to inhibit the growth of other competing microorganisms. Penicillin, one of the first discovered antibiotics, is produced by the fungus Penicillium. Industries cultivate and genetically manipulate microorganisms to increase the production of these vital substances. correct option E.
Step-by-step explanation:
Antibiotics are substances that are antagonistic to the growth of prokaryotes, which primarily include bacteria. They are biotechnological products naturally produced by certain microorganisms, notably fungi and some bacteria themselves. The most well-known antibiotic, penicillin, is a product of the fungus Penicillium. Large-scale production of antibiotics involves the cultivation and genetic manipulation of fungal cells to increase the yield of these antimicrobial compounds.
Considering the information provided, it is clear that antibiotics can be produced by both bacteria and fungi, which makes option E) the correct answer. These microorganisms produce antibiotics to suppress competing bacterial populations in their environment, thereby giving themselves an evolutionary advantage. In industrial settings, antibiotics are also produced in large fermentation tanks containing the bacteria that naturally produce them.