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Date November 2018 Marks available 2 Reference code 18N.3.hl.TZ0.17
Level HL Paper 3 Time zone TZ0
Command term Explain Question number 17 Adapted from N/A

Question

Opiates are strong analgesics.

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

[2]
a.

Outline the meaning of the bioavailability of a drug.

[1]
b.

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.

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

 

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

b.

Examiners report

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

Syllabus sections

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