MEDICINES AND DRUGS: WS PACKET

Name ______________________________ Date__________________ Section

1.

(a)

Many drugs are taken orally. State three other ways in which drugs may be taken by a patient.
(2)

(b)

State what is meant by the term side effect.

(1)
(Total 3 marks)

2.

List the three different ways in which drugs can be injected into the body. Predict, giving a reason, which
of the three methods will result in the drug having the most rapid effect.

(Total 4 marks)

3.

(i)

State what is meant by the term analgesic. Explain the difference in the mode of action of mild and
strong analgesics.

(3)

(ii)

State the general names of the two functional groups attached to the benzene ring in a molecule of
aspirin.
(2)

(iii)

The use of aspirin can have beneficial effects for the user, but can also produce some unwanted side
effects. State one beneficial effect (other than its analgesic action) and one unwanted side effect.

(2)
(Total 7 marks)

4.

Morphine is a naturally occurring analgesic that can be converted into codeine.

(i)

Calculate the difference in relative formula mass between morphine and codeine.
(1)

(ii)

Explain what is meant by developing tolerance towards codeine and state why this is dangerous.

(2)
(Total 3 marks)

5.

Discuss two arguments for and two arguments against the legalization of cannabis.
(Total 4 marks)

6.

An anesthetic mixture at a pressure of 105 kPa was made from the gases nitrous oxide, halothane and
oxygen, using the following amounts:
0.13 mol nitrous oxide
0.01 mol halothane
0.07 mol oxygen
(a)

Use Daltons Law to determine the partial pressures of each gas in the mixture.

(3)

(b)

Outline one advantage and one disadvantage of halothane as an anesthetic.

(2)
(Total 5 marks)

7.

The structures of some analgesics are shown in Table 21 of the Data Booklet.
Refer to this table when answering parts (b) and (c) of this question.
(a)

Explain the difference in the method of action of mild analgesics and strong analgesics.
(2)

(b)

State the name of the nitrogen-containing functional group in each of the following molecules.
Paracetamol ................................................................................................................
Heroin .........................................................................................................................
(2)

(c)

Naturally-occurring morphine can be converted into synthetic heroin by reaction with ethanoic
acid. Identify the group in the morphine molecule that reacts with ethanoic acid, the name of the
type of reaction and the other product of the reaction.
Group in morphine molecule .......................................................................................
Type of reaction ...........................................................................................................
Other product of reaction .............................................................................................
(3)
(Total 7 marks)

8.

Ibuprofen is an analgesic with the following structure:

O
C
C H
H 3C

O H

C H
C H

CH
CH

(a)

Identify the chiral carbon atom(s) in the structure of ibuprofen using an asterisk (*).
(1)

(b)

Describe how chiral auxiliaries can be used to synthesize only the desired enantiomeric form of a
drug from a non-chiral starting compound. Explain why it is important to use only the desired
enantiomeric form of a drug and state an example of what can happen if a racemic mixture is used.

(5)
(Total 6 marks)

9.

Depressants such as tranquilizers and sedatives are capable of affecting the central nervous system.
(a)

State two effects, in each case, on the body of taking

(i)

a low dose of a tranquilizer.

(2)

(ii)

a high dose of a sedative.

(2)

(b)

Explain why depressants are sometimes described as anti-depressants.

(1)

(c)

The most widely-used depressant is ethanol. Discuss the harmful effects of regularly taking large
amounts of ethanol by referring to four specific problems.

(4)

(d)

List two depressants whose structures are shown in Table 21 of the Data Booklet.
(1)

(e)

One problem with many drugs is that users develop tolerance. Explain what is meant by the term
tolerance and state why it could increase the risk to the user.

(2)
(Total 12 marks)

10.

Suggest why it is advisable not to drink alcohol when taking other drugs.
(Total 2 marks)

11.

A modern method for accurately determining the amount of alcohol in breath uses an intoximeter. Explain
how an intoximeter works.

(Total 3 marks)

12.

The breathalyser can be used to detect ethanol in breath. Explain how this can be done, by reference to the
substance used, the colour change and the type of reaction occurring.

(Total 3 marks)

13.

State what is meant by tolerance towards a drug and explain why it is potentially dangerous.
(Total 2 marks)

14.

Penicillins are molecules that can kill harmful micro-organisms. Their general structure is shown in Table
21 of the Data Booklet.
(a)

State the type of micro-organism killed by penicillins and explain how they do this.

(4)
4

(b)

Explain the effect of overprescription of penicillins.

(3)
(Total 7 marks)

15.

(a)

Describe the differences between bacteria and viruses, by referring to their structures and the way
they multiply.

(4)

(b)

Outline two ways in which antiviral drugs work.

(2)
(Total 6 marks)

16.

(a)

State the purpose of using an antacid.

(1)

(b)

State and explain which would be more effective as an antacid, 1.0 mol of magnesium hydroxide or
1.0 mol of aluminium hydroxide. Support your answer with balanced equations.

(3)
(Total 4 marks)

17.

One common type of drug taken orally is the antacid. Antacids such as sodium hydrogencarbonate are
taken to reduce stomach acidity.
(i)

State the names of two metals, other than sodium, whose compounds are often used in antacids.
(1)

(ii)

Give an equation for the neutralization of hydrochloric acid in the stomach by sodium
hydrogencarbonate.

(iii)

Explain how heartburn is caused.

(iv) Explain why dimethicone is added to some antacids.

(1)
(Total 4 marks)

18.

Caffeine and nicotine are two stimulants whose structures are shown in Table 21 of the Data Booklet.
(a)

Describe two similarities in their structures, not including the presence of double bonds, methyl
5

groups and nitrogen atoms.

(2)

(b)

Discuss the problems associated with nicotine consumption, distinguishing between short-term and
long-term effects.

(6)
(Total 8 marks)

19.

(a)

Lysergic acid diethylamide (also known as LSD or acid) and mescaline are both mind-altering
drugs. State one effect caused by both substances and one effect caused by LSD or mescaline only.
(Specify the substance which causes the effect.)
......................................................................................................................................
......................................................................................................................................
......................................................................................................................................
......................................................................................................................................
(2)

(b)

Outline the structural similarities and differences between LSD and mescaline.
(Structures are given in Table 21 of the Data Booklet.)
......................................................................................................................................
......................................................................................................................................
......................................................................................................................................
......................................................................................................................................
(2)
(Total 4 marks)

20.

A designer drug with a structure related to methylamphetamine is Ecstasy. Ecstasy tablets are
sometimes contaminated with a substance called 4-MTA.

H
O

CH

CH
E c s ta s y

(i)

CH

H 2C

H
CH

CH

CH

H 3C

CH

H
3

4 -M T A

Methylamphetamine, Ecstasy and 4-MTA are sympathomimetic drugs. Identify the structural
similarity between the three drugs and adrenaline, the structure of which is given in the Data
Booklet.
...............................................................................................................................................
...............................................................................................................................................
...............................................................................................................................................
6

...............................................................................................................................................
(1)

(ii)

Outline what is meant by the term sympathomimetic drug and state one example of a short-term
effect sympathomimetic drugs have on the human body.
...............................................................................................................................................
...............................................................................................................................................
...............................................................................................................................................
...............................................................................................................................................
(2)

(iii)

State one example of a long-term effect of taking stimulants.

............................................................................................................................................... (1)
(Total 4 marks)