Q.Opium derivative is ..............
Concept understanding — Drugs, Alcohol Abuse and Their Effects
Drugs, Alcohol Abuse and Their Effects
Several psychoactive drugs are commonly abused, and knowing their source, class and effect is frequently tested.
- Opioids (opiate narcotics) — morphine, codeine and heroin (diacetylmorphine) are obtained from the latex of the opium poppy; heroin is made by acetylation of morphine. They are depressants and analgesics that slow body functions.
- Cannabinoids — from Cannabis sativa (marijuana, hashish); they act on the brain and are known to affect the cardiovascular system.
- Hallucinogens — LSD (lysergic acid diethylamide).
- Coca alkaloid (cocaine) — a potent CNS stimulant.
For clinical depression and insomnia, physician-prescribed anti-depressant medicines (not drugs of abuse) are used. Recognising which drug is an opiate/narcotic, the poppy/cannabis sources, and the morphine→heroin relationship (heroin is acetylated morphine, not the reverse) is commonly required.
Drug and alcohol abuse is discussed in the NCERT Class 12 Biology chapter on Reproductive Health, and "drug and alcohol abuse effects class 12" along with "opioids cannabinoids hallucinogens important questions" are frequently searched by CBSE board and NEET biology aspirants. Distinguishing opioids, cannabinoids and hallucinogens by their source and effect, as explained here, is a recurring NEET question grounded in this NCERT Class 12 chapter.
The chapter describes heroin as chemically di-acetyl morphine, extracted directly from the latex of the opium poppy, Papaver somniferum.
(c) Heroin
The chapter describes heroin as chemically di-acetyl morphine, extracted directly from the latex of the opium poppy, Papaver somniferum.
Step 1. The chapter states that heroin ('smack'), chemically di-acetyl morphine, is extracted from the latex of the poppy plant Papaver somniferum — the opium poppy.
Step 2. Caffeine comes from tea/coffee plants, not the opium poppy, so it is not an opium derivative.
Step 3. Psilocybin is a hallucinogenic compound from certain mushrooms, unrelated to the opium poppy.
Step 4. Of the given options, Heroin is the one directly derived from opium latex.
(c) Heroin
Recall which of the listed drugs is extracted from the opium poppy's latex, as described in the drugs-abuse section.
- Confusing 'stimulant' drugs (caffeine) with 'opioid' drugs (heroin) — they act on completely different receptor systems.
- Not recognising 'di-acetyl morphine' as the chemical name for heroin.
Showing the 12 most recent of 26 on this concept.
- CBSE 2026Set V11 markMCQQ.The plants with hallucinogenic properties are(a) Atropa and Cannabis(b) Datura and Atropa(c) Datura and Cannabis(d) Atropa and Papaver
›Reveal solutionSolution
Datura and Cannabis are the hallucinogen-yielding plants.
Hallucinogens alter perception and thoughts. Cannabis sativa (source of marijuana/hashish, cannabinoids) and Datura (with tropane alkaloids) are plants with hallucinogenic properties. Atropa is a source of atropine and Papaver somniferum yields opium (a narcotic), so options containing them are less apt than Datura + Cannabis.
✓Final answer(c) Datura and Cannabis
- CBSE 2026Set A1 markMCQQ.Which of the following drugs interferes with transport of dopamine?(a) Nicotine(b) Hashish(c) Morphine(d) Cocaine
›Reveal solutionSolution
Cocaine blocks dopamine transport (reuptake); the correct option is (d).
Cocaine, obtained from the coca plant (Erythroxylum coca), acts on the central nervous system. It interferes with the transport of the neurotransmitter dopamine by blocking its reuptake at the synapse. As a result dopamine accumulates, producing a strong sense of euphoria and increased energy.
Nicotine, hashish (cannabinoid) and morphine act through different mechanisms and do not specifically block dopamine transport, so those options are wrong.
✓Final answer(d) Cocaine.
- CBSE 2026Set ANNUAL1 markMCQQ.Natural cannabinoid is obtained mainly from which part of the cannabis sativa plant?(a) Root(b) Leaf(c) Thalamus(d) Inflorescence
›Reveal solutionSolution
Natural cannabinoids are obtained mainly from the inflorescence (flowering tops) of the Cannabis sativa plant, not its roots or vegetative leaves.
Cannabinoids such as marijuana, hashish, charas and ganja are chemicals obtained mainly from the inflorescence of Cannabis sativa; these act on cannabinoid receptors present mainly in the brain and affect the cardiovascular and immune systems of the body.
✓Final answer(d) Inflorescence.
- CBSE 2026Set ANNUAL1 markQ.Name the plant from which morphine is obtained.
›Reveal solutionSolution
Morphine, a narcotic analgesic drug often abused, is a natural alkaloid extracted from the latex of the opium poppy plant.
Papaver somniferum, commonly known as the opium poppy, is a plant whose latex (obtained by cutting its unripe seed capsules) is the source of opium, from which the alkaloid morphine is extracted.
Morphine is a potent narcotic analgesic — it has legitimate medical use in relieving severe pain (e.g., post-surgical or terminal illness pain) by acting on the central nervous system, but it is also commonly abused as a narcotic drug because of its sedative and euphoria-inducing effects, and prolonged use leads to dependence. This is covered under NCERT's discussion of drugs and alcohol abuse in the Human Health and Disease chapter.
✓Final answerMorphine is obtained from the opium poppy plant, Papaver somniferum.
- CBSE 2026Set ANNUAL1 markQ.Case Study - 2. Read the passage given below and answer the following questions : Rahul, a 17 years old high school student, has started experimenting with cannabis with his friends. He feels temporary euphoria but soon experiences withdrawal symptoms when he tries to stop. Rahul's habit affect his studies and relationship. Drug abuse can lead to addiction and serious health issues. What is cannabinoid drug ?
›Reveal solutionSolution
Cannabinoids are natural psychoactive chemicals derived from Cannabis sativa that interact with the body's own cannabinoid receptors, primarily affecting the cardiovascular and nervous/immune systems.
Cannabinoids are chemicals obtained from the inflorescence (flowering/fruiting tops) of the plant Cannabis sativa. They are consumed by smoking and/or oral ingestion and act by binding to specific cannabinoid receptors present mainly in the brain, producing effects such as temporary euphoria. Common Cannabis-derived drugs of abuse include marijuana, hashish, charas and ganja. Regular use affects the cardiovascular system and can cause withdrawal symptoms and dependence, along with impacting mental and social wellbeing, as illustrated in Rahul's case.
✓Final answerCannabinoids are psychoactive chemicals from Cannabis sativa that bind cannabinoid receptors (mainly in the brain); marijuana, hashish, charas and ganja are common cannabinoid drugs.
- CBSE 2026Set ANNUAL1 markQ.Refer to the Case Study - 2 passage above (Rahul, a 17-year-old experimenting with cannabis). What are the psychological effects of drug abuse ?
›Reveal solutionSolution
Drug abuse affects behaviour and mental state well beyond the immediate 'high', producing lasting changes in mood, social behaviour, and cognitive function.
The psychological effects of drug abuse commonly include: unexplained changes in personality and mood swings (from euphoria to irritability), anxiety and depression, aggressive or rebellious behaviour, becoming reclusive/withdrawn and avoiding friends and family, sudden loss of interest in personal hygiene and appearance, decreased attention span, loss of interest in earlier hobbies/activities, deteriorating relationships with family and friends, and poor performance at school, college or work due to impaired concentration and judgement. In more severe substance abuse cases, symptoms can extend to paranoia and hallucinations.
✓Final answerMood swings, anxiety/depression, aggression or rebelliousness, social withdrawal, loss of interest in hygiene/activities, and declining academic/work performance are the key psychological effects of drug abuse.
- CBSE 2025Set ANNUAL1 markQ.Which gas level in blood increases due to smoking?
›Reveal solutionSolution
Smoking raises the level of carbon monoxide in the blood, reducing its oxygen-carrying capacity.
Tobacco smoke contains carbon monoxide (CO) gas, which binds to haemoglobin far more strongly than oxygen does, forming carboxyhaemoglobin. This reduces the oxygen-carrying capacity of the blood, leading to deficient oxygen supply (hypoxia) to body tissues. Chronic smoking is thus linked to cardiovascular problems, reduced lung function and respiratory disorders such as emphysema and chronic bronchitis, in addition to the cancer-causing effects of other constituents like nicotine and tar.
✓Final answerCarbon monoxide (CO) level in the blood increases due to smoking.
- CBSE 2025Set ANNUAL1 markMCQQ.Morphine is obtained from(a) Poppy plant(b) Cannabis plant(c) Atropa belladonna(d) Dhatura
›Reveal solutionSolution
Morphine, a powerful opioid analgesic, is obtained from the latex of the unripe seed capsules of the opium poppy plant, Papaver somniferum.
The poppy plant's latex (opium) contains several alkaloids, of which morphine is the principal one; it is used medically as a potent pain-reliever (analgesic) but is also a commonly abused narcotic due to its strong sedative and euphoric effects, and its potential for dependence. This differs from cannabinoids like marijuana/hashish/charas obtained from the Cannabis sativa (hemp) plant, atropine obtained from Atropa belladonna, and other alkaloids from Datura (dhatura).
✓Final answer(a) Poppy plant.
- CBSE 2025Set ANNUAL1 markMCQQ.Morphine acts as –(a) Depressant(b) Stimulant(c) Pain killer(d) Hallucinogen
›Reveal solutionSolution
Morphine is an opioid narcotic analgesic — its defining pharmacological action is as a pain killer.
Morphine is obtained from the latex of the opium poppy plant, Papaver somniferum. It belongs to the class of narcotic analgesics (opioids), which act on opioid receptors in the central nervous system to relieve pain. In medicine it is used, under strict supervision, to control severe pain such as post-surgical pain. Being an opioid, it has additional depressant/sedative effects on the CNS and carries a high potential for addiction and abuse, but its principal and classically tested effect in NCERT is that it is a pain killer (analgesic) — distinguishing it from purely CNS stimulants (like cocaine, amphetamines) or purely hallucinogenic drugs (like LSD).
✓Final answerMorphine acts as a pain killer, option (c).
- CBSE 2024Set E1 markMCQQ.What is diacetyl morphine?(a) Codeine(b) Heroin(c) Cannabinoid(d) Coke
›Reveal solutionSolution
Diacetylmorphine is heroin (smack).
Heroin, commonly called smack, is chemically DIACETYLMORPHINE:
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It is obtained by acetylation of morphine, which is extracted from the latex of the opium poppy (Papaver somniferum).
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It is a white, odourless, bitter crystalline compound and a powerful depressant that slows down body functions.
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(Codeine is another opium derivative; cannabinoids come from Cannabis; 'coke' is cocaine — none of these is diacetylmorphine.)
✓Final answer(b) Heroin.
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- CBSE 2024Set ANNUAL1 markQ.What is the source of cannabinoids chemical?
›Reveal solutionSolution
Cannabinoids are a group of chemicals obtained from the plant Cannabis sativa, and are commonly abused as marijuana, hashish, charas and ganja.
Cannabis sativa produces psychoactive chemical compounds called cannabinoids in its flowering tops, leaves and resin. When consumed, these compounds bind to specific cannabinoid receptors present mainly in the brain, affecting the cardiovascular and immune systems. Cannabinoids are commonly abused in various preparations - marijuana, hashish, charas and ganja - all derived from Cannabis sativa, and their use as opioids is one of the commonly discussed forms of adolescent drug/alcohol abuse.
✓Final answerCannabis sativa (its leaves, flowering tops and resin).
- CBSE 2024Set ANNUAL1 markMCQQ.Assertion (A) : Heroin is an opioids. Reason (R) : Heroin is obtained from Poppy plant.(a) Assertion (A) and Reason (R) both are true and Reason (R) is the correct explanation of Assertion (A).(b) Assertion (A) and Reason (R) both are true, but Reason (R) is not the correct explanation of Assertion (A).(c) Assertion (A) is true, but Reason (R) is false.(d) Assertion (A) and Reason (R) both are false.
›Reveal solutionSolution
Heroin (diacetylmorphine) is an opioid drug obtained by chemically modifying morphine, which itself comes from the opium poppy plant.
Heroin, commonly called smack, is a white/greyish-white powder obtained by acetylation of morphine, a substance extracted from the latex of the poppy plant (Papaver somniferum). Because opioids by definition are substances derived from the opium poppy (or that act on opioid receptors like those derived from it), the fact that heroin is obtained from the poppy plant is indeed the reason it is classified as an opioid.
✓Final answer(a) Assertion (A) and Reason (R) both are true, and Reason (R) is the correct explanation of Assertion (A).
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