Question

The 2005 Nobel Prize for Physiology/Medicine was awarded to Barry Marshall and Robin Warren of Australia for their discovery of
(a) Human papilloma virus causing cervical cancer
(b) Bacterium Helicobacter pylori causing peptic ulcer
(c) Prions,a new biological principle of infection
(d) Human immunodeficiency virus

Answer 1

Hint The Nobel Assembly at Karolinska Institute has awarded the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine jointly to Barry Marshall and Robin Warren for their discovery towards the bacterium that eats away the protective lining of the digestive system causing open sores in the stomach and/or in the small intestine. Helicobacter pylori causes peptic ulcer disease .

Complete answer
Let’s discuss the options and find out the correct answer
- Human papilloma virus causing cervical cancer: Human papillomavirus (HPV) is one of the most common causes of sexually transmitted disease in both men and women worldwide. Hence, this option is incorrect.
- Bacterium Helicobacter pylori causing peptic ulcer: In 2005, Barry Marshall and Robin Warren of Australia won the Nobel Prize for Physiology/Medicine for their discovery of Helicobacter pylori. It is a Gram-negative bacterium that lives in the stomach of humans. This bacterium causes infection such as ulcers in the cells of the stomach and it also causes intestinal tract on excessive growth. Peptic ulcers are those ulcers which are formed in the stomach. Hence, this option is correct.
- Prions,a new biological principle of infection: Stanley B. Prusiner was awarded the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine 1997 for his discovery of Prions - a new biological principle of infection. Prions do not have a defined structure and they are mostly short stretches of amino acid residues. They have been found to have detrimental defects in some neurodegenerative diseases. Hence, this option is incorrect.
- Human Immunodeficiency virus: It is a virus that damages the body’s immune system. If HIV is not treated, it can lead to AIDS (Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome).Hence, this option is incorrect.
So, the correct answer is, ‘(b) Bacterium Helicobacter pylori causing peptic ulcer’.

Note The H. pylori bacteria diminish the protective mucous coating of the duodenum and stomach, therefore it allows the acid to get through to the sensitive lining beneath. Both the acid and the bacteria have a role in irritating the lining and causing a sore, or ulcer.