User interface language: English | Español

Date November 2016 Marks available 2 Reference code 16N.3.sl.TZ0.16
Level SL Paper 3 Time zone TZ0
Command term Label and Outline Question number 16 Adapted from N/A

Question

Penicillin is an antibiotic which contains a beta-lactam ring. Its general structure is shown below.

(i) Outline what is meant by the term “ring strain”.

(ii) On the diagram above, label with asterisk/s (*) the carbon atom/s that experience ring strain.

[2]
a.

(i) Some antibiotic-resistant bacteria produce a beta-lactamase enzyme which destroys penicillin activity. Suggest how adding clavulanic acid to penicillin enables the antibiotic to retain its activity.

(ii) Populations of antibiotic-resistant bacteria have increased significantly over the last 60 years. Outline why antibiotics such as penicillin should not be prescribed to people suffering from a viral infection.

[3]
b.

Markscheme

i

bond angles smaller/distorted
OR
instability resulting from abnormal bond angles
OR
bond angles «approximately» 90° instead of 109.5°/120°

Accept “109/110°” for “109.5°”

 

ii

asterisks (*) on all 3 lactam ring carbon atoms

Must mark all 3 carbon atoms.
Ignore asterisks on the RHS carbon atoms of the five-membered ring.

a.

i

beta-lactam/four-membered ring «in clavulanic acid» reacts with enzyme/beta lactamase

Accept “acts as enzyme inhibitor/suicide substrate/preferentially binds to enzyme”.

 

ii

antibiotics not effective against viruses
OR
viruses have no cell wall/cell structure/target structures to attack

increasing exposure of bacteria «to antibiotic» increases resistance

Accept “antibiotics kill beneficial bacteria” for M2.

b.

Examiners report

[N/A]
a.
[N/A]
b.

Syllabus sections

Options » D: Medicinal chemistry » D.2 Aspirin and penicillin
Show 65 related questions
Options » D: Medicinal chemistry
Options

View options