Modern Medicine Flashcards
(30 cards)
Which years does the ‘Modern’ period cover?
c.1900 - Present
What new ideas about the causes of disease developed in the modern period?
Lifestyle factors & genetics
When was the strucure of DNA discovered?
1953
Who discovered the structure of DNA?
Crick & Watson
When was the Human Genome Project launched?
1990
What was the aim of the Human Genome Project?
To map every gene in human DNA
How has discovering the structure of DNA & completing the Human Genome Project advanced medicine?
- Better understanding of genetic conditions eg Down’s Syndrome
- Predicting whether certain individuals have a higher risk of contracting some cancers
- Discovery that stem cells can be grown into different cells
What remains to be discovered, with regard to genetic conditions?
A way to cure or prevent most genetic conditions
What examples of lifestyle factors as causes of disease can you think of?
Smoking, excessive drinking, diet. There are others too!
Why has diagnosis of disease improved in the modern period?
Technological advances such as blood tests, MRIs, X-Rays etc.
What examples of technological advances in modern medicine can you think of?
Electron microscopes, x-rays, MRI scanners, pacemakers, dialysis machines, insulin pumps. You might have others too!
What is meant by the term ‘magic bullet’?
A chemical cure that targets and kills one type of bacteria
What was the first Magic Bullet, and whe was it produced?
Salvarsan 606. 1909
What was the problem with Salvarsan 606?
It killed the patient!
What was the second Magic Bullet & when was it developed?
Prontosil. 1932
What type of drug are both Salvarsan 606 and Prontosil?
Sulphonamides
Who discovered the first antibiotic, and when?
Alexander Fleming. 1928
What was the first antibiotic?
Penicillin
How has surgery advanced in the Modern Period?
Use of robots & computers to make surgery more precise. Keyhole surgery reduces the need to make large cuts in the patient’s body.
When was the NHS launched?
July 1948
How many people saw a doctor for the first time after the launch of the NHS?
8 million
When was the national diphtheria vaccination programme?
1942
When was the measles vaccination developed?
1962
When was smoking in public places banned?
2007
