Modern period

which years and centuries is the modern period?

1900-now, 20th-21st century

explain why Gregor Mendel is known as the founder of genetics

• proved human characteristics could be passed down through generations

• had the idea that genes come in pairs, one from mum, one from dad

what new technology was used to analyse cells and what did they allow scientists to find?

• microscopes and x-rays meant scientists could see cells in greater detail

• found every cell in the body contains DNA, and it contains genetic codes

why were Maurice Wilkins and Rosalind Franklin important in discovering DNA?

they x-rayed DNA and found that DNA is a double-helix shape

why were James Watson and Francis Crick important in discovering DNA?

found how genetic codes fitted together, used x-ray photos of Rosalind Franklin, and worked out a model for DNA, and identified hereditary diseases

what new possibilities has the Human Genome Project led to?

could help scientists understand the cause of genetic diseases, and they mapped every gene in human DNA to understand which genes give out certain hereditary diseases

what are we still not able to do despite a greater understanding of DNA?

treat genetic diseases

what are three lifestyle factors that lead to disease?

• smoking- links to many diseases such as emphysema, high blood pressure, heart disease and many cancers

• drinking alcohol- linked to many cancers, as well as liver and kidney disease

• diet- limiting sugar and fat intake reduces the chance of getting certain types of cancer and heart disease

how does an MRI scan work?

magnetic fields produce detailed images of inside the body can create images of soft tissue/organs, like the brain

how does a CT scan work?

using x-rays and computers, produces detailed images of structures inside the body, like internal organs

how does an ultrasound scan work?

also known as sonograms, use sound waves to create images of inside the body, used to monitor pregnancies and detect gall and kidney stones

what is the purpose of a blood test?

helps doctors judge a patient’s overall health, blood sugar monitors allows diabetics to keep their sugar at right levels, blood can be tested for cholesterol and certain cancers

how does an endoscope work?

tiny camera at the end of a flexible tube, inserted into body, allowing doctors to investigate without cutting body open

how does an x-ray work?

produce images of inside of the body; form of radiation that passes through skin and muscle, absorbed by bones, ideal for seeing broken bones and locating objects

how does an ECG work?

track electrical activity of heart and gives information about heart’s rhythm

what is keyhole surgery?

operation without large cuts through the skin

what is robotic surgery?

robot controlled by surgeon who can stand several metres away from the patient

what is laser surgery?

improves eyesight, breaks kidney stones, shrinks or destroys some tumours

what is radiotherapy?

commonly used on cancer patients, often a machine is used to aim beams of radiation at the cancer

what are pacemakers?

small electrical devices, surgically implanted into patient’s chest, sends electrical pulses to heart to keep it beating regularly

what are dialysis machines used for?

circulate patient’s blood through various filters to remove waste products, done when a patient has a problem with their kidneys

explain what a Magic Bullet is

a scientific treatment for disease, uses chemicals to kill specific microbes (such as bacteria), which causes diseases in the body, without harming the body itself; artificial antibody

how did Paul Erlich contribute to the discovery of magic bullets?

he tested as many arsenic compounds he could to find a cure for syphilis. by 1907, he had tested over 600, without finding the cure

how did Hata contribute to the discovery of magic bullets?

he discovered that the compound number 606 cured syphilis, and so the first magic bullet was called Salvarsan 606

how did Salvarsan 606 get its name?

it only affected the diseased area, and was described to attack or destroy the disease

how did Gerhard Domagk contribute to the discovery of magic bullets?

he discovered a red dye called Prontosil, which killed bacterial infections in mice. tested it on his daughter who had blood poisoning, which it cured. he discovered the second magic bullet

how did Prontosil work?

by preventing the bacteria from multiplying in the body

what are bacteriostatic antibiotics?

medications that stop bacteria from multiplying, rather than killing them outright, giving the immune system time to kill the bacteria

what was developed in 1938?

M & B 693, which was a bacteriostatic antibiotic. it was successfully used to treat Winston Churchill for pneumonia in WW2. this was the third magic bullet