B1.3 - The Use And Abuse Of Drugs

Question 1

What are the stages in testing medicinal drugs? (3)

Answer 1

1. The drugs are tested on human cells and tissues in a lab.
2. The drugs are tested on live animals.
3. The drugs are tested on healthy human volunteers in a clinical trial.

Question 2

What is a placebo?

Answer 2

A substance that looks like the one that is being tested, but does not contain the actual drug.

Question 3

What is a double-blind trial?

Answer 3

A trial in which the patients nor the doctors know which patients have the placebo drug.

Question 4

Why are very low doses of a drug given when it is tested initially?

Answer 4

In case it gives side effects.

Question 5

What do statins do? (2)

Answer 5

1. Lower blood cholesterol.

2. Lower the risk of heart/circulatory diseases.

Question 6

What is thalidomide used for nowadays?

Answer 6

To treat leprosy.

Question 7

What was thalidomide developed as in the 1969s?

Answer 7

A sleeping pill.

Question 8

What side-effect did thalidomide cause in pregnant women in the 1960s?

Answer 8

Limb abnormalities in their babies.

Question 9

What negative health effect is linked with cannabis?

Answer 9

Mental health problems.

Question 10

What negative health effects are linked with ecstasy and heroin?

Answer 10

Affects on the heart and circulatory system.

Question 11

What are the links between cannabis and hard drugs? (3)

Answer 11

1. Cannabis is a stepping stone.
2. Cannabis is a gateway drug.
3. Genetics.

Question 12

Why do people take drugs? (3)

Answer 12

1. Health problems.
2. Personal issues.
3. To relax.

Question 13

Why are the negative effects caused by legal drugs much greater than those of illegal drugs?

Answer 13

More people use them as they are more widely available.

Question 14

What is a drug?

Answer 14

A substance that alters the chemical reactions in the body.

Question 15

What are the main disadvantages of smoking? (3)

Answer 15

1. It causes diseases in the heart, blood vessels and lungs.
2. Tobacco smoke causes cancer.
3. Nicotine is very addictive.

Question 16

What are the main disadvantages of alcohol? (4)

Answer 16

1. Alcohol affects the nervous system.
2. Too much alcohol impairs your judgement, worsens your coordination and can make you unconscious.
3. Drinking can cause liver disease and brain damage.
4. Alcohol is addictive.

Question 17

What types of drugs are there? (3)

Answer 17

1. Medicinal.
2. Recreational.
3. Performance-enhancing.

Question 18

What do anabolic steroids do?

Answer 18

Increase muscle size.

Question 19

What do stimulants do?

Answer 19

Increase your heart rate.

Question 20

What negative health effect is caused by steroids?

Answer 20

High blood pressure.

Question 21

What are the arguments against performance-enhancing drugs? (2)

Answer 21

1. Athletes can have an unfair advantage.

2. Athletes may not be informed of the serious health risks.

Question 22

What are the arguments in favour of performance-enhancing drugs? (2)

Answer 22

1. Athletes have the rights to make their own decisions.

2. Sport is unfair anyway; people have access to different qualities of facilities and coaches.

Question 23

What are medicinal drugs tested for? (3)

Answer 23

1. Dosage.
2. Toxicity.
3. Efficiency.