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.
Describe the analgesic action of an opiate.
Outline the meaning of the bioavailability of a drug.
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.
«temporarily» binds to «opioid» receptor sites in the brain/CNS
OR
«temporarily» suppresses pain impulses in/to the brain/CNS ✔
fraction/proportion/percentage of «administered dosage» enters blood/plasma/circulation ✔
Accept “fraction/proportion/percentage of «administered dosage» that reaches target «part of human body»”.