Page 22 - ICSE Chemistry 6

MEDICINES AND CHEMISTRY

The knowledge of chemistry has helped us in discovering a vast range of new medicines. An bio cs such
as penicillin and ampicillin are used to treat infec ons. Medicines like aspirin and paracetamol help to
cure diseases and lessen our physical miseries.

Drug discovery and development is driven by the knowledge of chemistry of various molecules and how
they are associated with life processes. Therefore, we can say that chemistry plays the most signifi cant
role in the development of drugs and con nues to strengthen the growth of the pharmaceu cal industry.

Let’s learn about some common medicines and their uses.
• Aspirin: Aspirin is used to reduce fever and treat
moderate pain from condi ons such as common
cold, muscle aches and headaches.

• Paracetamol: Paracetamol is used to relieve mild to
moderate pain. It is also used to reduce fever.

• Penicillin: Penicillin is an an bio c that is used to
treat infec ons caused by bacteria.

Activity 1.7

Aim: To conduct a discussion on the role of medicine in modern life

In groups of fi ve gather informa on and conduct class discussion on the topic ‘Role of Medicine in Modern
Life’.

CHEMICALS IN INDUSTRIES

Chemistry has contributed to the development of diff erent industries thus resul ng in increased effi ciency
of various industrial processes. This in turn has led to the produc on of many useful materials such as
plas cs, alloys, synthe c rubber, synthe c fi bers and tex les.

Chemicals are used to make diff erent products in various industries thus playing an important role in our
daily lives. Industries manufacture various products such as dyes, plas cs, fer lisers, detergents, drugs,
paints, tex les, stain removals, paper, glass, cleansing agents – soaps and detergents, and synthe c fi bres.
These products have various benefi cial uses. Prepara on of common salt from sea water, extrac on of
sugar from cane sugar juice, extrac on of metals, prepara on of alloys and development of drugs is
possible because of the applica on of various chemical processes.

The chemical industry is the most important industry and is very diverse; it produces a huge variety of
products that are used by other industries.

We can hence conclude that chemistry is of immense importance in the progress of human beings so far
in improving the global economy and has resulted in the improvement of living standards of people.

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