AQA · GCSE · Biology
Course version: 8461 · Version from Sept 2018
Traditionally drugs were extracted from plants and microorganisms.
Full specification wording
Discovery and development of drugs: Traditionally drugs were extracted from plants and microorganisms.
For much of human history, medicines came from natural sources.
Checked against the AQA 8461 specification (opens in a new tab) on .
- Point 2 of 9
- 4 key terms
Study notes
From the checked teaching notes for this specification point.
The idea
For much of human history, medicines came from natural sources. Plants produce many chemicals that can have medicinal effects, and microorganisms such as moulds and bacteria produce substances that can kill pathogens or alter body processes. Traditional knowledge often identified these sources: for example, willow bark was used for pain and fever, and foxglove for heart conditions. Today, scientists still screen plants and microorganisms for useful compounds, and many modern drugs are either extracted from these sources or modified from natural molecules.
What earns the marks
- Plants are a traditional source of drugs, with active compounds extracted from roots, leaves, bark or flowers.
- Microorganisms such as moulds and bacteria are also traditional sources of drugs, including antibiotics.
- Traditional or folk knowledge often guided which plants and microorganisms were investigated.
- Many modern medicines are derived from or based on natural compounds, even if later synthesised or modified.
- Extraction involves obtaining the active substance from the organism, sometimes followed by purification.
- Examples include digitalis from foxgloves and aspirin from willow, showing the plant origin of some drugs.
Common mistakes and how to put them right
Thinking all drugs are synthetic.
Put it right by stating that many drugs were originally extracted from plants and microorganisms.
Confusing the source organism with the drug itself.
Put it right by naming the organism and the drug separately, such as foxgloves and digitalis.
Assuming traditional use proves effectiveness.
Put it right by explaining that modern testing is still needed to establish safety and efficacy.
Exam tips
- Name specific plant and microorganism sources to support your answer.
- Use the terms extraction and active compound accurately.
- Link traditional sources to modern drug development rather than treating them as separate topics.
Try the lesson
The start of the Discovery and development of drugs: Traditionally drugs were extracted from plants and microorganisms. lesson, made from checked teaching notes for this specification point.
Have a go first
Traditionally, from which two types of organism were most drugs extracted?
Listen
For much of human history, medicines came from natural sources. Plants produce many chemicals that can have medicinal effects, and microorganisms such as moulds and bacteria produce substances that can kill pathogens or alter body processes. Traditional knowledge often identified these sources: for example, willow bark was used for pain and fever, and foxglove for heart conditions. Today, scientists still screen plants and microorganisms for useful compounds, and many modern drugs are either extracted from these sources or modified from natural molecules. A strong answer earns marks for these points. Plants are a traditional source of drugs, with active compounds extracted from roots, leaves, bark or flowers. Microorganisms such as moulds and bacteria are also traditional sources of drugs, including antibiotics. Traditional or folk knowledge often guided which plants and microorganisms were investigated. Many modern medicines are derived from or based on natural compounds, even if later synthesised or modified. A common slip: Thinking all drugs are synthetic. Instead, stating that many drugs were originally extracted from plants and microorganisms. Exam tip: Name specific plant and microorganism sources to support your answer.
See it
Key words
Say what each word means before you turn the card.
Natural sources of drugs
Try answering aloud or in your head before turning the card.
Plant and microorganism extracts
Try answering aloud or in your head before turning the card.
Traditional knowledge
Try answering aloud or in your head before turning the card.
Drug discovery and development
Try answering aloud or in your head before turning the card.
See every definition
- Natural sources of drugs
- Plants and microorganisms from which drugs were traditionally extracted.
- Plant and microorganism extracts
- Active compounds obtained from roots, leaves, bark or flowers of plants, and from moulds and bacteria.
- Traditional knowledge
- Folk knowledge that often guided which plants and microorganisms were investigated.
- Drug discovery and development
- Screening plants and microorganisms for useful compounds, with many modern medicines derived from or based on natural compounds.
Label the diagram
Some boxes have lost their names. Pick the right name for each number.
1Box 1
2Box 2
3Box 3
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: Traditionally drugs were extracted from plants and microorganisms.
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