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183 Nikolai Lunin concluded that foods contain small quantities of unknown substances that are essential for good health. In 1912 Polish biochemist Casimir Funk isolated a complex of micronutrients and called it “vitamine” (from “vital” and “amine”), but later the word was shortened to “vitamin”. One of the first vitamins to be discovered was vitamin A. • Insulin. In the 1920s, Canadian researcher Frederick Banting and his colleagues discovered the hormone insulin, which helps balance blood sugar levels in diabetes patients and allows them to live normal lives. Before insulin, diabetes meant a slow and certain death. • Penicillin.   The discovery of penicillin (the first antibiotic) by Alexander Fleming in 1928 can be considered to be one of the most important breakthroughs in the history of medicine. Prior to the discovery of penicillin, death could occur from minor wounds that became infected or from diseases such as strep throat. Then during World War II, penicillin became available. Infections that had frequently caused death became cured after a few days. • DNA (Deoxyribonucleic acid). The discovery of DNA was made by Swiss physician Friedrich Miescher. It was first called as a “nuclein” because it resides in the nucleus of a cell. DNA is the blue print of a person because it holds the instructions how to build up some of the components of the other various cells and tissues of the body. • TheHumanRetrovirus (HIV) . In the 1980s competing scientists Robert Gallo (the USA) and Luc Montagnier (France) separately discovered a new retrovirus later dubbed HIV (human immunodeficiency virus), and identified it as the causative agent of AIDS (acquired immunodeficiency syndrome). (Abridged from Top 10 Greatest Medical Discoveries of All Time ) 22. Are these statements true or false? 1) Edward Jenner was the first to inoculate people against smallpox. 2) Louis Pasteur proved that some diseases are caused by microorganisms. 3) X-rays were discovered by a German physician. 4) Russian doctor Nikolai Lunin was the first to isolate vitamins. 5) In 1930s insulin was still unknown. 6) Insulin controls the amount of blood sugar in the body. 7) Before World War II there was no antibiotic available. 8) DNA was discovered by a Swedish researcher. 9) HIV was discovered by a team of scientists from one country. 10) HIV can develop into AIDS.