Question

Dr Paul Muller got the Nobel Prize for the discovery of insecticidal properties of DDT in the year

• A. 1947
• B. 1948
• C. 1949
• D. 1950

Hint:

Don't confuse the year of discovery (1939) with the year of the Nobel Prize (1948). Discovery occurred at the start of WWII, and the prize followed after the war ended.

Answer 1

The Correct Option is B

Step 1: Understanding the Concept:
DDT (Dichloro-diphenyl-trichloroethane) is arguably the most famous insecticide in history.
It was first synthesized in 1874 by Othmar Zeidler, but its potential as a pesticide remained hidden for decades.
Detailed Explanation:
In 1939, the Swiss chemist Paul Hermann Müller, working for the Geigy company, discovered that DDT was incredibly effective against a wide range of insects.
It acted as a contact poison, causing repetitive nervous discharge in insects and leading to death.
During World War II, DDT played a crucial role in preventing outbreaks of malaria and typhus among soldiers and refugees.
It was hailed as a "miracle chemical" because it was cheap to produce and had low immediate toxicity to humans compared to other poisons like arsenic.
In recognition of his discovery, which saved millions of lives from insect-borne diseases, Müller was awarded the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine.
The award was conferred in the year 1948.
However, later environmental studies, notably Rachel Carson's book "Silent Spring," highlighted its persistence in the environment and its harmful effects on wildlife (like eggshell thinning in birds).
This led to the banning of DDT for agricultural use in many parts of the world, though it remains a tool for public health today.

Step 2: Final Answer:
Dr. Paul Muller received the Nobel Prize in 1948.