Dorothy Hodgkin
Definition
Dorothy Crowfoot Hodgkin OM FRS (née Crowfoot; 12 May 1910 – 29 July 1994) was a British biochemist who was awarded the Nobel Prize in Chemistry in 1964 for her work on the structure of penicillin and vitamin B12. She was the first woman to be awarded the Nobel Prize in Chemistry, and she is considered one of the most important scientists of the 20th century.
Hodgkin was born in Cairo, Egypt, to British parents. She showed an early interest in science, and she studied chemistry at Somerville College, Oxford. After graduating, she worked as a research chemist at the University of Cambridge.
In the 1940s, Hodgkin began using X-ray crystallography to study the structure of biological molecules. X-ray crystallography is a technique that uses X-rays to determine the arrangement of atoms in a crystal. Hodgkin was able to use X-ray crystallography to determine the structures of penicillin and vitamin B12, which were two of the most important molecules in biology at the time.
Hodgkin's work on the structure of penicillin helped to make it possible to mass-produce the drug, which saved millions of lives. Her work on the structure of vitamin B12 helped to explain how the vitamin works in the body, and it led to the development of new treatments for anaemia.
Hodgkin's work was groundbreaking, and it had a profound impact on the field of biology. She was a pioneer in the use of X-ray crystallography, and she helped to lay the foundations for the modern understanding of biological molecules. She was also a role model for women in science, and she inspired many young women to pursue careers in STEM fields.
Hodgkin died in 1994 at the age of 84. She was a brilliant scientist and a pioneer in the field of biology. Her work has had a lasting impact on our understanding of the world around us.
How can the word be used?
Hodgkin's work in the domain of biomolecular structure was essential to the development of new drugs and treatments.
Different forms of the word
Dorothy Hodgkin is a proper noun.
Etymology
The name Dorothy Hodgkin is of English origin. The first name, Dorothy, is a feminine form of the Old English name Dod(d)or, which means "gift of God." The surname, Hodgkin, is derived from the Old English word hod, which means "hood.".
Question
What is Dorothy Hodgkin famous for?
AQA Science Exam Question and Answer
Question:
Who was Dorothy Hodgkin, and what were her significant contributions to the field of science? Explain her groundbreaking work in X-ray crystallography and how it led to the discovery of the structures of important biomolecules.
Answer:
- Dorothy Hodgkin was a prominent British biochemist and X-ray crystallographer, known for her groundbreaking contributions to science. She revolutionised the field of X-ray crystallography, a technique used to determine the three-dimensional structure of molecules. Hodgkin's most significant achievement was the determination of the structures of several important biomolecules, including penicillin, vitamin B12, and insulin.
- Using X-ray crystallography, Hodgkin successfully determined the complex structures of these molecules, providing key insights into their functions and aiding in the development of new drugs and treatments. Her work in determining the structure of penicillin helped in understanding its antibiotic properties and paved the way for the development of other life-saving antibiotics.
- Dorothy Hodgkin's innovative contributions to X-ray crystallography and her determination of crucial biomolecule structures have left a lasting impact on the fields of chemistry, biochemistry, and medicine, making her one of the most influential scientists of her time.