D. Medicinal chemistry

Option D.10 – Mind-Altering Drugs

Option D.10 - Mind-Altering Drugs D.10.1 - Describe the effects of lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD), mescaline, psilocybin and tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) Lysergic Acid Diethylamide (LSD) This is a powerful hallucinogen, meaning that it causes perceptions that are not...

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Option D.9 – Drug Design

Option D.9 - Drug Design D.9.1 - Discuss the use of a compound library in drug design When drugs are designed, chemists do not start from scratch testing out new compounds at random - they take existing knowledge and build upon it. A compound library is a collection...

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Option D.8 – Drug Action

Option D.8 - Drug Action D.8.1 - Describe the importance of geometrical isomerism in drug action. Geometric isomers have different arrangements around a double bond and have two forms: cis- isomers are when the functional groups are found on the same side of the...

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Option D.7 – Antivirals

Option D.7 - Antivirals D.7.1 - State how viruses differ from bacteria Viruses act as parasites by inserting their DNA into a host cell, and using their machinery to reproduce. This is to the detriment of the cell. D.7.2 - Describe the different ways in which...

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Option D.6 – Antibacterials

Option D.6 - Antibacterials D.6.1 - Outline the historical development of penicillins. Bacteria are single-celled microorganisms that often act as pathogens to infect humans and cause disease and death. Antibacterials began to be developed in the late 1800s. However,...

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Option D.5 – Stimulants

  Option D.5 - Stimulants D.5.1 - List the physiological effects of stimulants Stimulants reduce fatigue and make the user more alert by stimulating the central nervous system. They prevent drowsiness and can improve concentration. Increase heart rate, blood...

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Option D.4 – Depressants

Option D.4 - Depressants D.4.1 - Describe the effects of depressants. Low Doses Usually little or no effect Some tranquilising effect Moderate Doses Sedation (soothing, reduction of anxiety) Calmness Very relaxed muscles High Doses Induces sleep Slurred speech Altered...

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Option D.3 – Analgesics

Option D.3 - Analgesics D.3.1 - Describe and explain the different ways that analgesics prevent pain The pain receptors in the body are essential for triggering a response that protects it from damage. It is part of our body’s defence system. They also send messages...

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Option D.2 – Antacids

Option D.2 - Antacids D.2.1 - State and explain how excess acidity in the stomach can be reduced by the use of different bases The human stomach has a pH of approximately 1.5 to allow for the effective functioning of the enzyme pepsin. The gastric juices secreted by...

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