ConceptConceptDocsDocuments

CAIE IGCSE Biology 15 Drugs

Review drug definitions, medicinal use of antibiotics, antibiotic resistance and effects of alcohol and performance-enhancing drugs.

Syllabus
2026–2028
Course
Biology 0610

Covered syllabus points

15.1 Drugs

15. Drugs question 1

[Maximum number: 2]

Heroin is a drug that acts on the nervous system.

Define the term drug.

15. Drugs question 2

[Maximum number: 1]

Fig. 4.1 is a diagram of the human female reproductive system.

Fig. 4.1

Fig. 4.1

Chlamydia is caused by a bacterium.

Suggest a treatment for chlamydia.

15. Drugs question 3

[Maximum number: 8]

Bacteria are classified as belonging to the Prokaryote kingdom.

Question (a)

(a)

MRSA is a type of bacterium that is resistant to antibiotics. The number of cases of MRSA identified in hospitals in the USA between 1995 and 2005 was recorded.
Fig. 2.1 shows these data.

Fig. 2.1

Fig. 2.1

[ 6 ]

Question (i)

(i)

Describe the results shown in Fig. 2.1.

[ 2 ]

Question (ii)

(ii)

Explain how bacteria become resistant to antibiotics.

[ 4 ]

Question (b)

(b)

The number of cases of MRSA has decreased since 2005.

Suggest reasons for this decrease.

[ 2 ]

15. Drugs question 4

[Maximum number: 2]

Penicillin is an antibiotic produced by the fungus Penicillium chrysogenum.

Fig. 5.1 shows the process used to produce penicillin.

Fig. 5.1 shows the process used to produce penicillin.

Explain why antibiotics, such as penicillin, affect bacteria but not viruses.

All question bank results loaded