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Date November 2019 Marks available 3 Reference code 19N.3.hl.TZ0.25
Level HL Paper 3 Time zone TZ0
Command term Explain Question number 25 Adapted from N/A

Question

The discovery of penicillins contributed to the development of antibiotics.

Explain how the beta-lactam ring is responsible for the antibiotic properties of penicillin. Refer to section 37 of the data booklet.

[3]
a.

Outline the impact of antibiotic waste on the environment.

[1]
b.

Suggest a concern about the disposal of solvents from drug manufacturing.

[1]
c.

Discuss two difficulties, apart from socio-economic factors, associated with finding a cure for AIDS.

[2]
d.

Markscheme

ring is «sterically» strained
OR
angles of 90° instead of 109.5/109/120° angles
OR
angles smaller than 109.5/109/120°/tetrahedral/trigonal planar/triangular planar angle ✔

ring breaks up/opens/reacts «easily»
OR
amido/amide group «in ring» is «highly» reactive ✔

«irreversibly» binds/bonds to enzyme/transpeptidase
OR
inhibits enzyme/transpeptidase «in bacteria» that produces cell walls
OR
prevents cross-linking of «bacterial» cell walls ✔

NOTE: Accept arguments using correct descriptions of hybridization for M1.
Do not accept "breaks/binds to cell walls" – a reference to the enzyme is needed for alternatives 1 and 2 for M3.
Do not accept "cell membrane" for "cell wall".

a.

«leads to bacterial» resistance «to antibiotics»
OR
destroys useful/beneficial bacteria
OR
useful/beneficial/less harmful bacteria replaced with «more» harmful bacteria ✔

NOTE: Accept “affects/disturbs micro-ecosystems”.

b.

Any one of:
«most are» toxic «to living organisms»
OR
incomplete combustion/incineration can produce toxic products/dioxins/phosgene
OR
carcinogenic/can cause cancer ✔
NOTE: Do not accept “harmful to the environment”.

accumulate in groundwater
OR
have limited biodegradability ✔
NOTE: Do not accept just “pollutes water”.

cost of disposal ✔
NOTE: Do not accept “hazard of disposal”.

NOTE: Accept “ozone depletion” only if there is some reference to chlorinated solvents.

c.

Any two of:

HIV difficult to detect/remains dormant ✔

HIV mutates rapidly/quickly ✔

HIV replicates rapidly/quickly ✔

HIV destroys «T-»helper cells/white blood cells/lymphocytes
OR
HIV attacks immune system ✔

HIV has several «significantly different» strains/subtypes ✔

NOTE: Accept “virus” for “HIV”.
Do not accept “AIDS mutates” without mention of the HIV/virus.
Penalize the use of “AIDS” for “HIV” once only.
Accept “HIV metabolism linked to that of host cell” OR “drugs harm host cell as well as HIV”.

d.

Examiners report

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

Syllabus sections

Options » D: Medicinal chemistry » D.2 Aspirin and penicillin
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