3.1.16

Drug Discovery

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Drug Discovery

In the past, most drugs were extracted (taken from) from plants and microorganisms. Nowadays, most drugs are synthesised (made) by chemists in the pharmaceutical industry.

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Past

  • The heart drug Digitalis originates from foxgloves (a plant). It was first used 200 years ago by William Withering.
  • The painkiller Aspirin originates from willow trees.
  • Alexander Fleming discovered the antibiotic Penicillin, which is made from the Penicillium mould.
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Present

  • Nowadays, most drugs are synthesised (made) by chemists in the pharmaceutical industry.
  • But the ingredients of these drugs may be chemicals extracted (taken) from plants.

Jump to other topics

1Cell Biology

1.1What's in Cells?

1.2Cell Division

1.3Transport in Cells

2Organisation

2.1Principles of Organisation

2.2Enzymes

2.3Circulatory System

2.4Non-Communicable Diseases

2.5Plant Tissues, Organs & Systems

3Infection & Response

4Bioenergetics

5Homeostasis & Response

5.1Homeostasis

5.2The Human Nervous System

5.3Hormonal Coordination in Humans

5.4Plant Hormones

6Inheritance, Variation & Evolution

7Ecology

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