Final answer:
Yes, it is true that penicillin, used to treat bacterial infections, is derived from the fungus Penicillium notatum, discovered by Alexander Fleming and later produced in large quantities.
Step-by-step explanation:
It is true that penicillin, which fights bacterial infections, is derived from a fungus. The discovery of penicillin is attributed to Alexander Fleming in 1928, who observed that a mold on a bacterial culture plate had antibacterial properties. This mold was later identified as Penicillium notatum, and it was from this fungus that penicillin, the antibiotic, was isolated. Following this discovery, efforts by scientists like Ernst Chain and Howard Florey, along with the development of a corn-based nutrient medium and the discovery of a higher-yielding strain of mold, allowed for penicillin to be produced in large quantities. Commercial penicillin is a modified natural compound with derivatives such as penicillin G and V being used clinically to inhibit bacterial cell wall synthesis, effectively killing the bacteria.