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Date November 2018 Marks available 1 Reference code 18N.3.sl.TZ0.13
Level SL Paper 3 Time zone TZ0
Command term Describe Question number 13 Adapted from N/A

Question

Opiates are strong analgesics.

Explain why diamorphine (heroin) crosses the blood–brain barrier more easily than morphine.

[2]
a.

Describe the analgesic action of an opiate.

[1]
b.

Outline the meaning of the bioavailability of a drug.

[1]
c.

Markscheme

blood-brain barrier is hydrophobic/non-polar/made of lipids ✔

morphine has hydroxyl/OH «groups»/is more polar AND diamorphine has ester/ethanoate/OCOCH3/acetate «groups»/is less polar/is lipid soluble ✔

 

Accept “fats” for “lipid”.

Accept “alcohol/hydroxy” for “hydroxyl” but not “hydroxide”.

Accept “non-polar” for “less polar” in M2.

a.

«temporarily» binds to «opioid» receptor sites in the brain/CNS

OR

«temporarily» suppresses pain impulses in/to the brain/CNS

b.

fraction/proportion/percentage of «administered dosage» enters blood/plasma/circulation ✔

 

Accept “fraction/proportion/percentage of «administered dosage» that reaches target «part of human body»”.

c.

Examiners report

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

Syllabus sections

Options » D: Medicinal chemistry » D.3 Opiates
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Options » D: Medicinal chemistry
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