Comprehension
Drugs and Drug Abuse
Read the following passage carefully and answer the given questions.
Use of drugs has been on the rise, especially among the youth. This is really a cause of concern as it could result in many harmful effects. Proper education and guidance would enable young people to safeguard themselves against these dangerous behaviour patterns and follow healthy lifestyles. The drugs which are commonly abused are opioids, cannabinoids and coca alkaloids. The majority of these are obtained from flowering plants. Some are obtained from fungi. Various plants, fruits and seeds having hallucinogenic properties have been used for hundreds of years in folk-medicine, religious ceremonies and rituals all over the globe. When these are taken for a purpose other than medicinal use or in amounts/frequency that impairs one’s physical, physiological or psychological functions, it constitutes drug abuse. These days, some drugs are also being abused by some sports-persons.
Question: 1
Chemically, heroin is:
Chemically, heroin is:
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Chemical Identity:
$\text{Morphine} \xrightarrow{\text{Acetylation}} \text{Diacetylmorphine (Heroin / Smack)}$.
Source: Latex of Papaver somniferum.
$\text{Morphine} \xrightarrow{\text{Acetylation}} \text{Diacetylmorphine (Heroin / Smack)}$.
Source: Latex of Papaver somniferum.
Updated On: Sep 4, 2026
- Dichloroacetylene
- Diacetylmorphine
- Acetyl-pentene
- Di-methylacetylene
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The Correct Option is B
Solution and Explanation
Concept:
Opioids are a class of psychoactive drugs that bind to specific opioid receptors present in the central nervous system and gastrointestinal tract.
Step 1: Chemical Nature of Heroin:
Heroin, commonly known on the street as 'smack', is a white, odorless, bitter crystalline compound.
Chemically, heroin is synthesized by the acetylation of morphine (extracted from the latex of the opium poppy, Papaver somniferum).
Acetylation of the two hydroxyl ($-OH$) groups of morphine with acetic anhydride yields diacetylmorphine.
Heroin acts as a depressant that slows down bodily functions.
Step 2: Conclusion:
Chemically, heroin is Diacetylmorphine.
Hence, Option (B) is the correct answer.
Opioids are a class of psychoactive drugs that bind to specific opioid receptors present in the central nervous system and gastrointestinal tract.
Step 1: Chemical Nature of Heroin:
Heroin, commonly known on the street as 'smack', is a white, odorless, bitter crystalline compound.
Chemically, heroin is synthesized by the acetylation of morphine (extracted from the latex of the opium poppy, Papaver somniferum).
Acetylation of the two hydroxyl ($-OH$) groups of morphine with acetic anhydride yields diacetylmorphine.
Heroin acts as a depressant that slows down bodily functions.
Step 2: Conclusion:
Chemically, heroin is Diacetylmorphine.
Hence, Option (B) is the correct answer.
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Question: 2
Which one of the following drugs is not produced from Cannabis plant?
Which one of the following drugs is not produced from Cannabis plant?
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Plant Sources:
$\bullet$ Cannabis sativa $\rightarrow$ Marijuana, Hashish, Charas, Ganja.
$\bullet$ Papaver somniferum $\rightarrow$ Morphine, Codeine, Smack (Heroin).
$\bullet$ Erythroxylum coca $\rightarrow$ Cocaine (Crack).
$\bullet$ Cannabis sativa $\rightarrow$ Marijuana, Hashish, Charas, Ganja.
$\bullet$ Papaver somniferum $\rightarrow$ Morphine, Codeine, Smack (Heroin).
$\bullet$ Erythroxylum coca $\rightarrow$ Cocaine (Crack).
Updated On: Sep 4, 2026
- Marijuana
- Hashish
- Smack
- Charas and ganja
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The Correct Option is C
Solution and Explanation
Concept:
Cannabinoids are a group of chemicals that interact with cannabinoid receptors located primarily in the brain. They are derived from the hemp plant Cannabis sativa.
Step 1: Products Derived from Cannabis sativa:
The inflorescences, flower tops, leaves, and resins of the plant Cannabis sativa are processed in various combinations to produce:
- Marijuana
- Hashish
- Charas
- Ganja
These cannabinoids are typically inhaled or ingested orally and are known for affecting the cardiovascular system.
Step 2: Evaluating Smack:
- Smack is the street name for heroin (diacetylmorphine), which is an opioid derived from the opium poppy (Papaver somniferum), not from the Cannabis plant.
Step 3: Final Answer:
Therefore, Smack is not produced from the Cannabis plant (Option C).
Cannabinoids are a group of chemicals that interact with cannabinoid receptors located primarily in the brain. They are derived from the hemp plant Cannabis sativa.
Step 1: Products Derived from Cannabis sativa:
The inflorescences, flower tops, leaves, and resins of the plant Cannabis sativa are processed in various combinations to produce:
- Marijuana
- Hashish
- Charas
- Ganja
These cannabinoids are typically inhaled or ingested orally and are known for affecting the cardiovascular system.
Step 2: Evaluating Smack:
- Smack is the street name for heroin (diacetylmorphine), which is an opioid derived from the opium poppy (Papaver somniferum), not from the Cannabis plant.
Step 3: Final Answer:
Therefore, Smack is not produced from the Cannabis plant (Option C).
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Question: 3
A very effective sedative and painkiller, which is very useful in patients who have undergone surgery is:
A very effective sedative and painkiller, which is very useful in patients who have undergone surgery is:
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Medical use from NCERT:
"Morphine is a very effective sedative and painkiller, and is very useful in patients who have undergone surgery."
"Morphine is a very effective sedative and painkiller, and is very useful in patients who have undergone surgery."
Updated On: Sep 4, 2026
- Morphine
- Heroin
- Cocaine
- Kanamycin
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The Correct Option is A
Solution and Explanation
Concept:
Certain opioid alkaloids obtained from medicinal plants possess strong central analgesic and sedative properties, making them medically valuable when prescribed under strict clinical control.
Step 1: Therapeutic Role of Morphine:
Morphine is a principal phenanthrene alkaloid obtained directly from the dried latex of unripened capsules of Papaver somniferum.
It acts as a potent central nervous system analgesic and sedative.
In clinical medicine, morphine is widely administered as an effective painkiller and sedative to alleviate severe, intractable post-operative pain in patients who have undergone major surgery.
Step 2: Evaluating Other Options:
- Heroin: A highly addictive illicit drug with no standard clinical use in post-operative recovery due to high dependence liability.
- Cocaine: A central nervous system stimulant that interferes with dopamine reuptake, producing euphoria; not used as a general sedative.
- Kanamycin: An aminoglycoside antibiotic used to treat bacterial infections, lacking analgesic or sedative properties.
Step 3: Final Answer:
Hence, Morphine is the correct therapeutic agent (Option A).
Certain opioid alkaloids obtained from medicinal plants possess strong central analgesic and sedative properties, making them medically valuable when prescribed under strict clinical control.
Step 1: Therapeutic Role of Morphine:
Morphine is a principal phenanthrene alkaloid obtained directly from the dried latex of unripened capsules of Papaver somniferum.
It acts as a potent central nervous system analgesic and sedative.
In clinical medicine, morphine is widely administered as an effective painkiller and sedative to alleviate severe, intractable post-operative pain in patients who have undergone major surgery.
Step 2: Evaluating Other Options:
- Heroin: A highly addictive illicit drug with no standard clinical use in post-operative recovery due to high dependence liability.
- Cocaine: A central nervous system stimulant that interferes with dopamine reuptake, producing euphoria; not used as a general sedative.
- Kanamycin: An aminoglycoside antibiotic used to treat bacterial infections, lacking analgesic or sedative properties.
Step 3: Final Answer:
Hence, Morphine is the correct therapeutic agent (Option A).
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Question: 4
Which one of the following drugs is not normally used as medicine to help patients cope with mental illnesses?
Which one of the following drugs is not normally used as medicine to help patients cope with mental illnesses?
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Drug Classes:
$\bullet$ Mental illness medications (frequently abused): Barbiturates, Amphetamines, Benzodiazepines, Lysergic acid diethylamides (LSD).
$\bullet$ Chloramphenicol: Broad-spectrum antibiotic for bacterial infections (e.g., typhoid).
$\bullet$ Mental illness medications (frequently abused): Barbiturates, Amphetamines, Benzodiazepines, Lysergic acid diethylamides (LSD).
$\bullet$ Chloramphenicol: Broad-spectrum antibiotic for bacterial infections (e.g., typhoid).
Updated On: Sep 4, 2026
- Chloramphenicol
- Amphetamines
- Benzodiazepines
- Barbiturates
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The Correct Option is A
Solution and Explanation
Concept:
Psychotropic drugs modify mental activity, mood, and behaviour, and are legitimately prescribed to manage psychological disorders such as depression, anxiety, and insomnia.
Step 1: Identifying Psychotropic Medicines:
Medications that are legitimately prescribed to help patients cope with mental illness, depression, and insomnia include:
- Barbiturates: CNS depressants that act as hypnotics and sedatives.
- Benzodiazepines: Anxiolytics that treat anxiety, panic disorders, and sleeplessness.
- Amphetamines: Central stimulants used to treat attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and narcolepsy.
When abused without clinical indication, these substances impair normal mental and physical health.
Step 2: Evaluating Chloramphenicol:
Chloramphenicol is a broad-spectrum antibiotic that inhibits bacterial protein synthesis by targeting the 50S ribosomal subunit.
It is used to treat serious bacterial infections such as typhoid fever, meningitis, and cholera, and has no therapeutic application in treating mental illnesses.
Step 3: Final Answer:
Thus, Chloramphenicol is not used as a medicine for mental illnesses (Option A).
Psychotropic drugs modify mental activity, mood, and behaviour, and are legitimately prescribed to manage psychological disorders such as depression, anxiety, and insomnia.
Step 1: Identifying Psychotropic Medicines:
Medications that are legitimately prescribed to help patients cope with mental illness, depression, and insomnia include:
- Barbiturates: CNS depressants that act as hypnotics and sedatives.
- Benzodiazepines: Anxiolytics that treat anxiety, panic disorders, and sleeplessness.
- Amphetamines: Central stimulants used to treat attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and narcolepsy.
When abused without clinical indication, these substances impair normal mental and physical health.
Step 2: Evaluating Chloramphenicol:
Chloramphenicol is a broad-spectrum antibiotic that inhibits bacterial protein synthesis by targeting the 50S ribosomal subunit.
It is used to treat serious bacterial infections such as typhoid fever, meningitis, and cholera, and has no therapeutic application in treating mental illnesses.
Step 3: Final Answer:
Thus, Chloramphenicol is not used as a medicine for mental illnesses (Option A).
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Question: 5
Which one of the following plants does not have hallucinogenic properties?
Which one of the following plants does not have hallucinogenic properties?
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Hallucinogenic Plants:
$\bullet$ Atropa belladonna
$\bullet$ Datura
$\bullet$ Erythroxylum coca (at high doses)
Rauwolfia serpentina yields reserpine (used for blood pressure control, non-hallucinogenic).
$\bullet$ Atropa belladonna
$\bullet$ Datura
$\bullet$ Erythroxylum coca (at high doses)
Rauwolfia serpentina yields reserpine (used for blood pressure control, non-hallucinogenic).
Updated On: Sep 4, 2026
- Atropa
- Erythroxylum
- Datura
- Rauwolfia
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The Correct Option is D
Solution and Explanation
Concept:
Hallucinogens (psychedelics) are substances that alter sensory perception, mood, and thought processes, causing hallucinations. Many plants contain hallucinogenic tropane alkaloids.
Step 1: Evaluating Plants with Hallucinogenic Properties:
- Atropa belladonna: Contains tropane alkaloids (atropine, scopolamine) and possesses potent hallucinogenic properties.
- Datura: Contains hyoscyamine and scopolamine; well known in botanical toxicology for its strong hallucinogenic effects.
- Erythroxylum coca: Produces cocaine, an alkaloid that at higher dosages induces hallucinations and severe mental agitation.
Step 2: Evaluating Rauwolfia:
- Rauwolfia serpentina: A medicinal plant found in the Himalayan ranges that produces the active alkaloid reserpine.
- Reserpine is used medically to treat hypertension (high blood pressure) and psychotic agitation, but it does not possess recreational hallucinogenic properties.
Step 3: Final Answer:
Therefore, Rauwolfia is the plant that lacks hallucinogenic properties (Option D).
Hallucinogens (psychedelics) are substances that alter sensory perception, mood, and thought processes, causing hallucinations. Many plants contain hallucinogenic tropane alkaloids.
Step 1: Evaluating Plants with Hallucinogenic Properties:
- Atropa belladonna: Contains tropane alkaloids (atropine, scopolamine) and possesses potent hallucinogenic properties.
- Datura: Contains hyoscyamine and scopolamine; well known in botanical toxicology for its strong hallucinogenic effects.
- Erythroxylum coca: Produces cocaine, an alkaloid that at higher dosages induces hallucinations and severe mental agitation.
Step 2: Evaluating Rauwolfia:
- Rauwolfia serpentina: A medicinal plant found in the Himalayan ranges that produces the active alkaloid reserpine.
- Reserpine is used medically to treat hypertension (high blood pressure) and psychotic agitation, but it does not possess recreational hallucinogenic properties.
Step 3: Final Answer:
Therefore, Rauwolfia is the plant that lacks hallucinogenic properties (Option D).
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