UnderstandingsThe ability of a drug to cross the blood–brain barrier depends on its chemical structure and
solubility in water and lipids. ● Opiates are natural narcotic analgesics that are derived from the opium poppy. ● Morphine and codeine are used as strong analgesics. Strong analgesics work by temporarily bonding to receptor sites in the brain, preventing the transmission of pain impulses without depressing the central nervous system. ● Medical use and addictive properties of opiate compounds are related to the presence of opioid receptors in the brain. |
Applications and skills● Explanation of the synthesis of codeine and diamorphine from morphine.
● Description and explanation of the use of strong analgesics. ● Comparison of the structures of morphine, codeine, and diamorphine (heroin). ● Discussion of the advantages and disadvantages of using morphine and its derivatives as strong analgesics. ● Discussion of side-effects and addiction to opiate compounds. ● Explanation of the increased potency of diamorphine compared to morphine based on their chemical structure and solubility. Guidance Structures of morphine, codeine, and diamorphine can be found in the data booklet in section 37. |
Identifying the pharmacophore of OpiatesKey vocabulary:
Pharmacophore: a part of a molecular structure that is responsible for a particular biological or pharmacological interaction that it undergoes. (https://www.lexico.com/en/definition/pharmacophore) Pharmacokinetics: sometimes described as what the body does to a drug, refers to the movement of drug into, through, and out of the body (https://www.msdmanuals.com/professional/clinical-pharmacology/pharmacokinetics/overview-of-pharmacokinetics) |
Task:
1. Look closely at the different structures of opiates and identify the pharmacophore of these opiates 2. Highlight the pharmacophore in one of the structures below 3. Explain what pharmacophore you have identified using scientific reasoning and record your explanation using the Flipgrid above 4. Watch other students explanation and give peer feedback on their explanation considering: - accuracy - clarity - use of visuals |
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Task:
1. Research and compare the pharmacokinetics of Codeine, Morphine and Heroin using the internet and Pearsons textbook pages 881+882 2. Explain the differences in the pharmacokinetics of those three opiates using scientific reasoning 3. Record your explanation using Flipgrid 4. Watch other students explanation and give peer feedback on their explanation considering: - accuracy - clarity - use of visuals |
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Revision overview |