User interface language: English | Español

Date May 2019 Marks available 1 Reference code 19M.3.sl.TZ1.15
Level SL Paper 3 Time zone TZ1
Command term Identify Question number 15 Adapted from N/A

Question

Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus) infections have been successfully treated with penicillin and penicillin derivatives.

Identify the feature in penicillin responsible for its antibiotic activity.

[1]
a.

The widespread use of penicillin and its derivatives has led to the appearance of resistant S. aureus strains.

Outline how these bacteria inactivate the antibiotics.

[1]
b(i).

Outline how the structure of penicillin has been modified to overcome this resistance.

[1]
b(ii).

Markscheme

«four-membered» beta-lactam ring  [✔]

 

Note: Accept a diagram showing a structural representation of the beta-lactam ring.

a.

produce penicillinase/enzyme that deactivates penicillin  [✔]

b(i).

side-chain changed «preserving beta-lactam ring»  [✔]

 

Note: Accept “R group changed”.

b(ii).

Examiners report

Most students could identify the beta-lactam ring as the structural feature responsible for penicillin’s activity.

a.

The action of penicillinase/beta-lactamase was less well known with only about a third of students gaining this mark.

b(i).

Most students were also aware that changing to the side chain of penicillin is often used to counter resistance, though many benefitted from the decision to accept “R-” without any mention of the data booklet structure.

b(ii).

Syllabus sections

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

View options