Final answer:
c) Partially
Penicillin can destroy some strains of Mycoplasma, but not all. Some strains of bacteria have developed resistance to penicillin, including some populations of Staphylococcus aureus. Scientists have developed penicillin analogs to combat resistant bacteria.
Step-by-step explanation:
Penicillin is an antibiotic that can destroy certain bacteria, including some strains of Mycoplasma. However, it is important to note that penicillin may not be effective against all strains of Mycoplasma, as some strains have developed resistance to the antibiotic.
In the 1940s, penicillin was effective against infections caused by the bacterium Staphylococcus aureus. However, today there are populations of Staphylococcus aureus that are completely resistant to penicillin.
To combat bacteria that have developed resistance to penicillin, scientists have synthesized penicillin analogs, such as methicillin, which are not inactivated by penicillinase, an enzyme produced by resistant bacteria.