09-04-2014, 12:57 PM
Chemistry in Everyday Life
[attachment=60851]
Objectives
After studying this Unit you will be
able to
• visualise the importance of
Chemistry in daily life;
• explain the term ‘chemotherapy’;
• describe the basis of classification
of drugs;
• explain drug-target interaction of
enzymes and receptors;
• explain how various types of
drugs function in the body;
• know about artificial sweetening
agents and food preservatives;
• discuss the chemistry of cleansing
agents.
Antacids
Over production of acid in the stomach causes irritation and pain. In
severe cases, ulcers are developed in the stomach. Until 1970, only
treatment for acidity was administration of antacids, such as sodium
hydrogencarbonate or a mixture of aluminium and magnesium
hydroxide. However, excessive hydrogencarbonate can make the stomach
alkaline and trigger the production of even more acid. Metal hydroxides
are better alternatives because of being insoluble, these do not increase
the pH above neutrality. These treatments control only symptoms, and
not the cause. Therefore, with these metal salts, the patients cannot be
treated easily. In advanced stages, ulcers become life threatening and its
only treatment is removal of the affected part of the stomach.
Antibiotics
Antibiotics are used as drugs to treat infections because of their low
toxicity for humans and animals. Initially antibiotics were classified as
chemical substances produced by microorganisms (bacteria, fungi and
molds) that inhibit the growth or even destroy microorganisms. The
development of synthetic methods has helped in synthesising some of
the compounds that were originally discovered as products of
microorganisms. Also, some purely synthetic compounds have
antibacterial activity, and therefore, definition of antibiotic has been
modified. An antibiotic now refers to a substance produced wholly or
partly by chemical synthesis, which in low concentrations inhibits the
growth or destroys microorganisms by intervening in their metabolic
processes.
[attachment=60851]
Objectives
After studying this Unit you will be
able to
• visualise the importance of
Chemistry in daily life;
• explain the term ‘chemotherapy’;
• describe the basis of classification
of drugs;
• explain drug-target interaction of
enzymes and receptors;
• explain how various types of
drugs function in the body;
• know about artificial sweetening
agents and food preservatives;
• discuss the chemistry of cleansing
agents.
Antacids
Over production of acid in the stomach causes irritation and pain. In
severe cases, ulcers are developed in the stomach. Until 1970, only
treatment for acidity was administration of antacids, such as sodium
hydrogencarbonate or a mixture of aluminium and magnesium
hydroxide. However, excessive hydrogencarbonate can make the stomach
alkaline and trigger the production of even more acid. Metal hydroxides
are better alternatives because of being insoluble, these do not increase
the pH above neutrality. These treatments control only symptoms, and
not the cause. Therefore, with these metal salts, the patients cannot be
treated easily. In advanced stages, ulcers become life threatening and its
only treatment is removal of the affected part of the stomach.
Antibiotics
Antibiotics are used as drugs to treat infections because of their low
toxicity for humans and animals. Initially antibiotics were classified as
chemical substances produced by microorganisms (bacteria, fungi and
molds) that inhibit the growth or even destroy microorganisms. The
development of synthetic methods has helped in synthesising some of
the compounds that were originally discovered as products of
microorganisms. Also, some purely synthetic compounds have
antibacterial activity, and therefore, definition of antibiotic has been
modified. An antibiotic now refers to a substance produced wholly or
partly by chemical synthesis, which in low concentrations inhibits the
growth or destroys microorganisms by intervening in their metabolic
processes.