Question

One of the earliest researchers to explore the use of chemicals to kill microbial pathogens was?

1) Koch
2) Hooke
3) Fleming
4) Ehrlich

Answer 1

Paul Ehrlich was one of the earliest researchers to use chemicals to target and kill microbial pathogens, discovering the therapeutic compound Salvarsan in the early 20th century.

Step-by-step explanation:

One of the earliest researchers to explore the use of chemicals to kill microbial pathogens was Paul Ehrlich. In the early 20th century, Ehrlich, a German physician and scientist, pursued the discovery of a "magic bullet" that could target infectious microbes. After testing numerous compounds, his team discovered Compound 606 (Salvarsan), an effective treatment against the bacterium Treponema pallidum, the causative agent of syphilis. This marked a pivotal point in antimicrobial research and the strategic drug discovery that continues today.