Scientific Advancements (Blood Transfusions, Magic Bullets, X-Rays)

Question 1

What did Karl Landsteiner discover in 1901?

Answer 1

Blood groups (A, B, O and later AB)

Question 2

How did the discovery of blood types improve surgery?

Answer 2

• More successful
• Realised patient could die if given wrong type
• Reduced the risk of incompatible transfusions

Question 3

What challenge did (early) blood transfusions face?

Answer 3

• Blood donor had to be present during surgery (because blood clots once it leaves the body)
• Therefore hindered the significance of knowing blood types in surgery

Question 4

What did Emil von Behring discover?

Answer 4

The anti-toxins which enabled the body to fight diphtheria

Question 5

What did Paul Ehrlich’s ‘magic bullet’ theory propose?

Answer 5

Specific chemicals could target and destroy disease causing cells without damaging healthy ones

Question 6

What was Enhrlich’s first successful ‘magic bullet’?

Answer 6

• Salvarsan 606
• Cured syphilis
• First chemical cure for disease

Question 7

Who discovered X-rays and when?

Answer 7

• Wilhem Conrad Roentgen
• 1895
• Accidental discovery

Question 8

How did X-rays impact medical treatment?

Answer 8

• Non-invasive procedure
• Able to visualise internal structures of the body
• Led to earlier and more accurate diagnoses

Question 9

What safety risks were there with X-ray use?

Answer 9

• Radiation risks (exposure) that were not fully understood
• Quick to realise benefits, slow to comprehend harmful effects

Question 10

What did people think of the X-ray?

Answer 10

• Super useful
• Spread worldwide
• Immediate effect
• Europe and US doctors used X-rays to locate gun shots, bone fractures, kidney stones

Question 11

How did Marie Curie’s work impact cancer treatment?

Answer 11

• Laid foundation for modern oncology
• Radiation therapy for targeting and shrinking tumours