MC test: Aspirin & penicillin

Multiple choice test on D.2 Aspirin & penicillin

Use the following 'quiz' to test your knowledge and understanding of this sub-topic. As this relates to a sub-topic on the options you may need access to the IB data booklet.

If you get an answer wrong, read through the explanation carefully to learn from your mistakes.

Which functional groups are present in aspirin?

I. phenyl

II. carboxyl

III. ester

All three functional groups are present.

 

Which classes of compounds does paracetamol (acetaminophen) belong to?

I. amide

II. arene

III. hydroxyl

Hydroxyl is the name for the HO− functional group. The class of compounds is alcohol (although when the OH is bonded to an arene they are known as phenols).

 

Which will be the most soluble in aqueous solution?

Only one of the four is a group 1 ionic salt. The other three are polar, but not ionic molecules.

 

Which can cause Reye's syndrome in young children?

Although rare, Reye's syndrome is a known side-effect of aspirin in young children.

 

Which structure best describes the β-lactam ring in penicillins?

The β-lactam ring is a four membered ring containing a nitrogen atom and a carbonyl group.

 

Which group is the side-chain in benzylpenicillin?

The benzyl group is C6H5CH2−

 

Which best explains why aspirin tablets that have been left in warm damp conditions may smell of vinegar.

Aspirin is an ester and in damp conditions can undergo hydrolysis to produce ethanoic acid (responsible for the vinegar smell) and salicylic acid (2-hydroxybenzoic acid).

 

Which word describes the interaction in the body between two different drugs that produces an effect greater than or different to the sum of their individual effects?

One of the classic example of a synergistic effect is mixing aspirin and alcohol. There is an increased risk of stomach bleeding.

 

Which have contributed to bacteria becoming resistant to antibiotics?

I. developing new peniciilins by altering the side-chain

II. adding penicillins to animal feed

III. overprescription of penicillins

Initially altering the side-chain was a way of overcoming resistance to antibiotics but now some "superbugs' are resistant to all penicillins as they have developed the necessary enzymes to break down penicillin molecules.

 

Which methods can be used to determine the purity of a sample of aspirin?

I. Melting point

II. Infrared spectroscopy

III. Thin layer chromatography

Compared to pure aspirin, Impure aspirin will have a lower melting, it will contain other absorptions in its IR spectrum and show more than one component when eluted with a solvent.

 

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