Drugs and drug development

Question 1

What is a drug?

Answer 1

A substance that alters the body’s chemistry.

Question 2

What is the impact
of nicotine on the
body?

Answer 2

Lung, through, mouth, nose, liver,
blood cancer. Asthma, bronchitis,
emphysema.

Question 3

What is the impact
of alcohol on the
body?

Answer 3

Alter neurotransmitter function in the
brain. This can cause anxiety,
depression and reduced brain
function. Liver cirrhosis – liver cells
stop working and are replace by scar
tissue. Liver stops removing toxins,
stops storing glucose as glycogen
and stops making bile.

Question 4

How do smoking
and drinking affect
an unborn child?

Answer 4

Alcohol and chemicals from the
cigarette in the mother’s blood pass
through the placenta to the baby.
This can lead to premature birth,
miscarriage, low birth weight and
reduced brain function.

Question 5

What is an
anaesthetic?

Answer 5

A drug that stops all pain sensation
(local or throughout an organism)

Question 6

Where does aspirin
come from?

Answer 6

Willow tree bark

Question 7

What is a
painkiller?

Answer 7

A drug that treats the symptoms of a
pathogen but not the pathogen.

Question 8

What drug is
developed from
foxglove?

Answer 8

Digitalis – used to strengthen the
heart and treat irregular heartbeat.

Question 9

Who discovered Penicillin?

Answer 9

Alexander Fleming

Question 10

Where does Penicillin come
from?

Answer 10

Chemical released by a fungus called
Penicillium notatum which destroys
bacteria.

Question 11

What is an antiseptic?

Answer 11

A chemical applied to the skin or
surfaces to destroy pathogens.

Question 12

What is happening in Phase
1 of drug testing?

Answer 12

Computer modelling. The structure of
the drug and its interaction with
common human molecules is
simulated using a computer
programme.

Question 13

What is happening in Phase
2 of drug testing?

Answer 13

Tests are done on cells, tissues and
animals to check if the drug is toxic to
humans, to see if the drug works and
to find potential side effects and
doses.

Question 14

What is happening in Phase
3 drug testing?

Answer 14

The drug is given to a small number of
healthy volunteers to test for safe
dosing volumes.
Then the drug is given to a small
number of ill patients to see if the drug
works (efficacy).
Then the drug is given to a large
number of ill patients to finalise safe
dosage and efficacy.

Question 15

What is a placebo?

Answer 15

A dummy drug given to patients in Phase 3.