Practise MYP History questions on 5.2 Medical Discoveries and Breakthroughs and review the explanations to check your understanding.
Use these questions for topic practice and to find ideas you want to revisit in your notes or lessons.
The three major obstacles to successful surgery before the mid-19th century were pain, infection, and __________.
Why was the breakthrough of penicillin considered a 'miracle' compared to earlier antiseptics like carbolic acid?
True or False: Ignaz Semmelweis's discovery that hand-washing reduced mortality rates was immediately adopted by his peers.
True or False: Alexander Fleming was the primary person responsible for the mass production and stabilization of penicillin for use in World War II.
Why did Galen's anatomical findings remain the "ultimate authority" for over a millennium despite being based on studies of animals?
Poor lighting
Blood loss
High cost of medicine
Lack of surgical tools
It was the first substance used to sterilize surgical instruments
It was derived from a synthetic chemical rather than a natural mould
It was a vaccine that prevented infection before it occurred
It was the first drug that could kill bacteria inside the body without harming the patient
True
False
True
False
Because the Roman ban on human dissection made his animal-based studies the only available resource
Because he was the only doctor who knew how to read and write
Because he was the first doctor to use a microscope
Because his theories were perfectly accurate for human bodies
