Disease Dilemmas SG5
Can Diseases Ever Be Fully Eradicated?
Key Idea 5.a.: Nature Has Provided Medicines to Treat Disease for Thousands of Years
Key Terms
Alkaloids – a naturally occurring chemical compound. The active ingredient in many medicinal drugs e.g.
morphine
Glycosides – a compound made from sugar and another compound. Many medicinal drugs are glycosides
derived from plants
Medicinal Plants
Morphine – a narcotic pain reliever used to treat moderate to severe pain
Source in Nature Growing Conditions
Derived from alkaloids contained in the milky latex Warm (>30oC) and humid conditions
sap of opium poppy Long hours of sunlight
Moisture retentive & fertile soil, rich in
humus & well drained e.g. clay loam soil
Optimum soil pH 6-8
Digitalis – more often called digoxin, is a purified cardiac glycoside used to treat a variety of heart conditions
Source in Nature Growing Conditions
Foxgloves – the plant is rich in compounds called Temperate climatic conditions
glycosides which contain digoxin (a steroid bonded Tolerates high rainfall, cool summers and
to sugar) acidic soils
Quinine – a medication used to treat malaria
Source in Nature Growing Conditions
The bark is stripped from the cinchonas tree, dried Temperature >20oC, no frost and high
and ground into a powder annual rainfall over at least 8 months
Well drained fertile soils, rich in organic
matter and have good moisture retention
Caffeine – a central nervous system stimulant. It is a main ingredient in many migraine over-the-counter
medications that can help treat migraines and headaches
Source in Nature Growing Conditions
Occurs naturally in >600 plants, including coffee Tropical climate >20oC and high annual
beans, tea leaves and coca rainfall
Well drained fertile soils which are rich in
organic matter and nitrogen
Salicin – a medicine closely related in chemical make-up to aspirin and has a very similar action in the human
body – it is an anti-inflammatory agent. Used for pain relief and to treat gout and osteoarthritis
Source in Nature Growing Conditions
Produced in willow bark Temperate climate
Moist soils are usually found near a body of
water e.g. on riverbanks, floodplains and
wetlands throughout the temperate zone
Can Diseases Ever Be Fully Eradicated?
Key Idea 5.a.: Nature Has Provided Medicines to Treat Disease for Thousands of Years
Key Terms
Alkaloids – a naturally occurring chemical compound. The active ingredient in many medicinal drugs e.g.
morphine
Glycosides – a compound made from sugar and another compound. Many medicinal drugs are glycosides
derived from plants
Medicinal Plants
Morphine – a narcotic pain reliever used to treat moderate to severe pain
Source in Nature Growing Conditions
Derived from alkaloids contained in the milky latex Warm (>30oC) and humid conditions
sap of opium poppy Long hours of sunlight
Moisture retentive & fertile soil, rich in
humus & well drained e.g. clay loam soil
Optimum soil pH 6-8
Digitalis – more often called digoxin, is a purified cardiac glycoside used to treat a variety of heart conditions
Source in Nature Growing Conditions
Foxgloves – the plant is rich in compounds called Temperate climatic conditions
glycosides which contain digoxin (a steroid bonded Tolerates high rainfall, cool summers and
to sugar) acidic soils
Quinine – a medication used to treat malaria
Source in Nature Growing Conditions
The bark is stripped from the cinchonas tree, dried Temperature >20oC, no frost and high
and ground into a powder annual rainfall over at least 8 months
Well drained fertile soils, rich in organic
matter and have good moisture retention
Caffeine – a central nervous system stimulant. It is a main ingredient in many migraine over-the-counter
medications that can help treat migraines and headaches
Source in Nature Growing Conditions
Occurs naturally in >600 plants, including coffee Tropical climate >20oC and high annual
beans, tea leaves and coca rainfall
Well drained fertile soils which are rich in
organic matter and nitrogen
Salicin – a medicine closely related in chemical make-up to aspirin and has a very similar action in the human
body – it is an anti-inflammatory agent. Used for pain relief and to treat gout and osteoarthritis
Source in Nature Growing Conditions
Produced in willow bark Temperate climate
Moist soils are usually found near a body of
water e.g. on riverbanks, floodplains and
wetlands throughout the temperate zone
