AQA · GCSE · Biology
Course version: 8461 · Version from Sept 2018
The heart drug digitalis originates from foxgloves. • The painkiller…
Full specification wording
Discovery and development of drugs: The heart drug digitalis originates from foxgloves. • The painkiller aspirin originates from willow. • Penicillin was discovered by Alexander Fleming from the Penicillium mould.
Many medicines began as natural substances.
Checked against the AQA 8461 specification (opens in a new tab) on .
- Point 3 of 9
- 3 key terms
Study notes
From the checked teaching notes for this specification point.
The idea
Many medicines began as natural substances. Digitalis, used to treat heart conditions, comes from foxgloves. Aspirin, a painkiller, comes from willow. Penicillin was discovered by Alexander Fleming when he noticed that Penicillium mould had killed bacteria growing on a culture plate. These examples show that drugs can be discovered by observing natural sources, then developed and tested before medical use. A student should be able to name each drug, its source and, for penicillin, the scientist and mould involved. They should also explain that discovery is only the first step: a promising substance must be purified, tested for safety and effectiveness, and produced in a suitable form before it can be prescribed.
What earns the marks
- State that digitalis is a heart drug that originates from foxgloves.
- State that aspirin is a painkiller that originates from willow.
- State that penicillin was discovered by Alexander Fleming and originates from the Penicillium mould.
- Recognise that many drugs were originally extracted from plants or microorganisms rather than being made synthetically from the start.
- Describe the sequence from discovery of a natural substance to development and testing before it becomes a medicine.
Common mistakes and how to put them right
Confusing the source of aspirin with the source of digitalis.
Put it right by linking aspirin to willow and digitalis to foxgloves.
Attributing the discovery of penicillin to the wrong scientist.
Put it right by naming Alexander Fleming and the Penicillium mould.
Assuming a drug can be used as soon as it is discovered.
Put it right by stating that it must be tested for safety and effectiveness first.
Exam tips
- Learn each drug with its source as a paired fact, for example digitalis and foxgloves, aspirin and willow, penicillin and Penicillium.
- When a question asks for the scientist, give the full name Alexander Fleming rather than just a surname.
- If asked why natural sources are important, link your answer to the discovery of new medicines and the need for testing.
Try the lesson
The start of the Discovery and development of drugs: The heart drug digitalis originates from foxgloves. • The painkiller aspirin originates from willow. • Penicillin was discovered by Alexander Fleming from the Penicillium mould. lesson, made from checked teaching notes for this specification point.
Have a go first
Which drug used to treat heart conditions originates from foxgloves?
Listen
Many medicines began as natural substances. Digitalis, used to treat heart conditions, comes from foxgloves. Aspirin, a painkiller, comes from willow. Penicillin was discovered by Alexander Fleming when he noticed that Penicillium mould had killed bacteria growing on a culture plate. These examples show that drugs can be discovered by observing natural sources, then developed and tested before medical use. A student should be able to name each drug, its source and, for penicillin, the scientist and mould involved. They should also explain that discovery is only the first step: a promising substance must be purified, tested for safety and effectiveness, and produced in a suitable form before it can be prescribed. A strong answer earns marks for these points. State that digitalis is a heart drug that originates from foxgloves. State that aspirin is a painkiller that originates from willow. State that penicillin was discovered by Alexander Fleming and originates from the Penicillium mould. Recognise that many drugs were originally extracted from plants or microorganisms rather than being made synthetically from the start. A common slip: Confusing the source of aspirin with the source of digitalis. Instead, linking aspirin to willow and digitalis to foxgloves. Exam tip: Learn each drug with its source as a paired fact, for example digitalis and foxgloves, aspirin and willow, penicillin and Penicillium.
Key words
Say what each word means before you turn the card.
Natural sources of medicines
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Discovery and development of drugs
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Testing before medical use
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See every definition
- Natural sources of medicines
- Many drugs were originally extracted from plants or microorganisms rather than being made synthetically from the start.
- Discovery and development of drugs
- Drugs can be discovered by observing natural sources, then developed and tested before medical use.
- Testing before medical use
- A promising substance must be purified, tested for safety and effectiveness, and produced in a suitable form before it can be prescribed.
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