Antibiotics in Action

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    Digging for a Cure

    Using the Historical Readings

    This reading introduces three important people in the history of antibiotic science: Selman Waksman, Elizabeth Hazen, and Rachel Fuller Brown. The main scientific concepts addressed in the reading are the culturing of microorganisms, isolation of compounds from microbial cultures, and the nature of actinomycetes. To fully enforce these concepts, this reading may be used in conjuction with the activities Medicine from Dirt: Isolating of Actinomycetes and Name that Actinomycete: Isolating Soil Organisms.

    Relevant National Science Education Standards

      Science and Technology — The reading discusses the scientific work that led to the development of antibiotic technology.

      Science and Personal and Social Perpectives — The reading discusses the role of science in facing the community and public health challenge of infectious disease.

      History and Nature of Science — The reading offers a historical perspective on the science of antibiotics and illustrates science as a human activity.

    Relevant New Jersey State Science Education Standards

      5.2 The reading describes the discoveries of streptomycin and nystatin.
      5.4 The reading discusses the science that went into the discoveries of two drugs.
      5.5 The reading involves bacteria, actinomycetes, and fungi.

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