Anti-cancer drugs

Question 1

What is cancer? (1)

Answer 1

They are Togue cells which have lost control over their growth and replication and grow much faster than normal cells.

Question 2

what is the most successful cancer treatment? (1)

Answer 2

Cisplatin

Question 3

how does cisplatin work? (1)

Answer 3

It works by bonding to strands of DNA, distorting their shape and preventing replication of cells. The molecule bonds to nitrogen atoms on two adjacent guanine bases on a strand of DNA.

Question 4

Why does cisplatin work? (3)

Answer 4

this works because nitrogen atoms of the guanine molecules have the pairs of electrons which form dative covalent bonds with the platinum. The chloride ions in cisplatin are displaced by water. The water ligands are then displaced by nitrogen on guanine because the nitrogen is a better ligand. (ligand substitution reaction).

Question 5

what are the side effects of cisplatin? (1)

Answer 5

it will bond to DNA in healthy cells as well as cancerous cells but cancer cells replicate faster than healthy cells. However healthy cells that replicate quickly such as hair cells which is why patients loose hair in chemotherapy.