SPM Science 2024 (Real Paper), Paper 2 (Question 8)


Question 8:
Table 3 shows the statistics of drug addicts from year 2016 to year 2018 in country X.


(a) State one example of drug. [1 mark]


(b) A type of hallucinogen drug is given to patients during surgery. State the function of that drug in the surgery process. [2 mark]

(c) Based on Table 3, state the trend for the number of drug addicts according to years. Explain. [2 marks]

(d) There are some athletes involved in drug abuse and use prohibited substances in sports competitions.
Justify the statement. [1 mark]


Answer:
(a)
Barbiturate // Alcohol // Amphetamine // Solvent // Ketamine

Explanation:
Each of these examples represents a different category of drugs, with varying effects on the body, and it is important to understand the associated risks of their use.

(b)
– The function of the hallucinogen drug during surgery is to act as an anaesthetic to reduce pain and

– Make the patient unconscious, so they do not feel pain or become aware during the surgical procedure.

Explanation:
During surgery, it is crucial that the patient does not feel pain and remains unconscious to avoid trauma, involuntary movements, or stress responses that could interfere with the surgical procedure. Hallucinogen-type drugscanaffectthe centralnervoussystem byalteringperceptionandinducing a sedative or dissociative effect, which helps in managing pain and maintaining unconsciousness.


(c)
– The number of drug addicts shows a decreasing trend from the year 2016 to 2018.

– This suggests that preventive measures and awareness efforts might have been effective in reducing drug addiction rates.

Explanation:
In 2016, the total number of addicts was 30844 . This number dropped to 25922 in 2017 and further decreased to 24867 in 2018. The decline occurred in both categories. New addicts and relapsed addicts.


(d)
– Some athletes misuse drugs and prohibited substances to enhance their physical performance, such as increasing strength, endurance, or speed beyond natural limits.

– They may also use these substances to recover faster from injuries.

– However, this gives them an unfair advantage over others, violates the principles of fair play, and can cause serious health risks like organ damage, hormonal imbalance, or psychological effects.

Explanation:
In competitive sports, athletes are expected to rely on natural training, discipline, and skill. However, some athletes resort to using performance enhancing drugs such as steroids, stimulants, or hormone boosters to improve muscle mass, reduce fatigue, and increase reaction time. Long-term use of such drugs can lead to addiction, liver or kidney failure, cardiovascular diseases, and psychological disorders like aggression or depression.

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