Drugs

• What are the two main uses of drugs mentioned in the video?

  To relieve symptoms and to help cure diseases
• What is the focus of the video discussed?

  The processes of development and testing that drugs undergo before use
• What have microorganisms and plants evolved to produce?

  A range of substances that can kill pathogens
• How can substances from microorganisms and plants be used in medicine?

  They can be used directly or modified in a lab before use
• What are three examples of drugs derived from natural sources mentioned in the video?

  • Aspirin: developed from willow tree bark
  • Digitalis: derived from foxglove plants
  • Penicillin: discovered from the penicillium fungus
• What is aspirin commonly used for?

  To lower fevers and relieve pain
• What condition is digitalis used to treat?

  Heart problems like heart failure
• Who discovered penicillin?

  Alexander Fleming
• What did Alexander Fleming observe in his lab that led to the discovery of penicillin?

  A fungus growing in a petri dish that killed surrounding bacteria
• What are the three main factors to consider when testing drugs?

  Efficacy, toxicity, and dosage
• What does efficacy refer to in drug testing?

  How well the drug works
• What does toxicity refer to in drug testing?

  How harmful the drug is
• What does dosage refer to in drug testing?

  The amount or concentration of the drug to be given
• What are the three main stages of drug testing?

  1. Testing on human cells and tissues in the lab
  2. Testing on live animals
  3. Clinical testing on humans
• What is the benefit of testing drugs on human cells and tissues in the lab?

  It allows for easy and cheap testing of many substances
• Why is testing on live animals important?

  It gives a good idea about the efficacy and toxicity of substances
• What is the first step in clinical testing?

  Giving the drug to healthy volunteers at a low dose
• What is the aim of the initial clinical testing phase?

  To find the maximum dosage before side effects occur
• What is the goal of the second phase of clinical testing?

  To find the optimum dosage that maximizes efficacy and minimizes toxicity
• What is the purpose of using a placebo in clinical trials?

  • To compare the effects of the real drug
  • To avoid bias in reporting side effects
  • To ensure the validity of the results
• What does it mean for a clinical trial to be blind?

  Participants do not know whether they are receiving the real drug or a placebo
• What is a double-blind trial?

  Neither the doctors nor the volunteers know who receives the real drug
• Why is peer review important after drug testing?

  It ensures the tests were fair and prevents false claims
• What is the final step after drug testing is complete?

  The results are written up and peer-reviewed