AQA · GCSE · Biology
Course version: 8461 · Version from Sept 2018
Most new drugs are synthesised by chemists in the pharmaceutical industry.…
Full specification wording
Discovery and development of drugs: Most new drugs are synthesised by chemists in the pharmaceutical industry. However, the starting point may still be a chemical extracted from a plant.
Drug discovery often begins with a natural chemical rather than a finished medicine.
Checked against the AQA 8461 specification (opens in a new tab) on .
- Point 4 of 9
- 4 key terms
Study notes
From the checked teaching notes for this specification point.
The idea
Drug discovery often begins with a natural chemical rather than a finished medicine. A plant may produce a compound that has a useful biological effect, such as relieving pain or killing pathogens. Scientists extract and identify this lead compound, then chemists in the pharmaceutical industry synthesise related molecules in the laboratory. Synthesis allows large, consistent quantities to be made and lets chemists modify the molecule to improve potency, reduce side effects or make administration easier. For example, the painkiller aspirin was developed from salicylic acid found in willow bark, but the medicine is now manufactured synthetically. So the starting point can be plant-derived, while most new drugs are made by chemical synthesis.
What earns the marks
- State that many medicines originate from chemicals found in plants, giving a named example such as willow bark or foxgloves.
- Describe how a chemical is extracted from plant material and tested for a useful biological effect.
- Explain that chemists in the pharmaceutical industry synthesise the drug, often modifying the original molecule.
- Compare the plant-derived starting point with industrial synthesis, noting consistency, scale and purity.
- Recognise that synthesis allows structural modification to improve efficacy or reduce side effects.
Common mistakes and how to put them right
Assuming all drugs are completely artificial with no natural origin.
Put it right by stating that the starting point may be a plant chemical even when the final drug is synthesised.
Confusing extraction with synthesis.
Put it right: Extraction obtains a chemical from plant material, whereas synthesis builds the drug by chemical reactions.
Believing that a plant chemical is automatically safe or effective.
Put it right by noting that it must still be tested and may be modified.
Exam tips
- Use the phrase starting point may still be a chemical extracted from a plant to show the link between natural sources and synthetic production.
- Give one named plant example and state clearly what chemical or effect it provided.
- When asked why chemists synthesise drugs, link your answer to scale, purity or modification rather than just saying it is easier.
Try the lesson
The start of the Discovery and development of drugs: Most new drugs are synthesised by chemists in the pharmaceutical industry. However, the starting point may still be a chemical extracted from a plant. lesson, made from checked teaching notes for this specification point.
Have a go first
Where are most new medical drugs synthesised today?
Listen
Drug discovery often begins with a natural chemical rather than a finished medicine. A plant may produce a compound that has a useful biological effect, such as relieving pain or killing pathogens. Scientists extract and identify this lead compound, then chemists in the pharmaceutical industry synthesise related molecules in the laboratory. Synthesis allows large, consistent quantities to be made and lets chemists modify the molecule to improve potency, reduce side effects or make administration easier. For example, the painkiller aspirin was developed from salicylic acid found in willow bark, but the medicine is now manufactured synthetically. So the starting point can be plant-derived, while most new drugs are made by chemical synthesis. A strong answer earns marks for these points. State that many medicines originate from chemicals found in plants, giving a named example such as willow bark or foxgloves. Describe how a chemical is extracted from plant material and tested for a useful biological effect. Explain that chemists in the pharmaceutical industry synthesise the drug, often modifying the original molecule. Compare the plant-derived starting point with industrial synthesis, noting consistency, scale and purity. A common slip: Assuming all drugs are completely artificial with no natural origin. Instead, stating that the starting point may be a plant chemical even when the final drug is synthesised. Exam tip: Use the phrase starting point may still be a chemical extracted from a plant to show the link between natural sources and synthetic production.
Key words
Say what each word means before you turn the card.
Natural sources of medicines
Try answering aloud or in your head before turning the card.
Chemical synthesis in industry
Try answering aloud or in your head before turning the card.
Drug development and modification
Try answering aloud or in your head before turning the card.
Scale and consistency of manufacture
Try answering aloud or in your head before turning the card.
See every definition
- Natural sources of medicines
- The starting point may still be a chemical extracted from a plant, which may have a useful biological effect.
- Chemical synthesis in industry
- Most new drugs are synthesised by chemists in the pharmaceutical industry, often modifying the original molecule.
- Drug development and modification
- Chemists modify the molecule to improve potency, reduce side effects or make administration easier.
- Scale and consistency of manufacture
- Synthesis allows large, consistent quantities to be made.
There is more to this lesson
The full lesson goes on to check your understanding and help you earn the marks. Create a free account to carry on, with your progress saved.
A week of Premium from your first lesson · Then the free plan continues · No card, no charge
Test your understanding of Discovery and development of drugs: Most new drugs are synthesised by chemists in the pharmaceutical industry. However, the starting point may still be a chemical extracted from a plant.
Active recall beats re-reading. Take an instant quiz now to test what you’ve learned and lock it into long-term memory.
A week of Premium from your first lesson · Then the free plan continues · No card, no charge