Q.Name the plant source of cocaine. How does it affect the human body?
You're viewing a preview — the full solution, concept, methods & PYQ mapping are locked.
Start your 14-day free trial to unlock the full solution →Cocaine, sourced from the coca plant, disrupts the brain's dopamine signalling to produce its addictive euphoric effect and serious health harm.
Plant source and effect of cocaine: Cocaine is obtained from the leaves of the coca plant, Erythroxylum coca, a shrub native to South America. Cocaine (commonly called 'coke' or 'crack') acts on the central nervous system by interfering with the transporter proteins that normally recycle (reabsorb) the neurotransmitter dopamine back into the presynaptic neuron after it has transmitted a nerve impulse. Because this reuptake is blocked, dopamine accumulates in the synaptic gap, producing a heightened sense of euphoria and stimulation. With chronic use, cocaine causes serious harmful effects on the body — hallucinations, disturbed mood and behaviour, impaired judgement, elevated heart rate and blood pressure leading to cardiovascular complications, and strong physical/psychological dependence (addiction) with severe withdrawal symptoms.
OR — Short notes:
- Cancer: Cancer is a disease characterised by uncontrolled and abnormal proliferation of cells that have lost the normal control mechanisms regulating cell division (loss of contact inhibition), forming a mass called a tumour; malignant tumour cells can invade neighbouring tissues and spread (metastasise) to distant parts of the body via blood/lymph.
- Interferons: Interferons are a class of antiviral glycoproteins produced and secreted by cells (particularly leucocytes) that have been infected by a virus; they diffuse to nearby uninfected cells and induce in them a temporary resistance to viral infection by inhibiting viral replication, and are also used therapeutically (e.g. against hepatitis). …
Unlock everything free for 14 days
- Full step-by-step solutions
- Concept-first explanations
- Methods, shortcuts & mistakes
- PYQ mapping + timed mock tests
Full access for 14 days. No credit card required.