question_answer 30)

    Medicines are either man made {i.e., synthetic) or obtained from living organisms like plants, bacteria, animals, etc., and hence, the latter are called natural products. Sometimes, natural products are chemically altered by man to reduce toxicity or side effects. Write against each of the following whether they were initially obtained as a natural product or as a synthetic chemical. (a) Penicillin                        (b) Sulphonamide            (c) Vitamin-C                      (d) Growth hormone

Answer:

                  (a) Penicillin is a group of antibiotics derived from fungi Penicillium and was initially usedas a natural product. (b)Sulphonamide is a synthetic chemical. It is an antimicrobial agent is the basis of severalgroups of drugs. (c) Vitamin-C or L-ascorbic acid or ascorbate is a natural product and an essential nutrient for humans. It is present in citrus fruits. (d) Growth hormone (GH or HGH) also known as somatropin or somatropin is a peptidehormone occurring naturally in the body. It stimulates growth.