Challenge Activity
Drug Source Challenge
To carry out this activity, divide the class into two halves. Each student in one half is going to be given the name of a drug, and each student in the other will be given the name of a plant (or fungus in some cases). A list of the drugs, plants, and a principal use for each is given below. You have a number of options. You may print out the list, cut out the drug and plant names, and have the students draw them from a hat. You may select drugs and plants for your students arbitrarily. Finally, you may want to put out two sheets, one with drugs and the other with plants, and let students sign up for plants or drugs of their own choosing.
If you have an odd number of students in your class, the last two drugs listed come from the same plant (rosy periwinkle), allowing a three-member team. Just make sure that only one student is assigned the rosy periwinkle plant if you have an odd number of students!
The links on the list below contain a brief amount of information against which you can check the accuracy of the students' answers to the questions given.
| Drug |
Plant source |
Use |
| atropine | henbane (Hyoscyamus niger) |
acetylcholine inhibitor |
| colchicine | autumn crocus (Colchicum autumnale) |
anti-inflammatory |
| digoxin | foxglove (Digitalis lanata) |
heart medication |
| emetine | ipecac (Cephaelis ipecacuanha) |
antiamebic |
| ergotamine | ergot (Claviceps purpurea) |
migraine medication |
| lovastatin | Aspergillus (Aspergillus terreus) |
cholesterol reducer |
| paclitaxel | Pacific yew tree (Taxus breviofolia) |
anticancer drug |
| penicillin G potassium | penicillium mold (Penicillium notatum) |
antibiotic |
| physostigmine | calabar bean (Physostigma venenosum) |
glaucoma drug |
| pseudoephedrine | ephedra (genus ephedra) |
decongestant |
| reserpine | Indian snakeroot (Rauwolfia serpentina) |
antihypertension drug |
| theophylline | tea plant (Camellia sinensis) |
bronchodialator |
| tubocurarine | curare vine (Chondrodendron tomentosum) |
surgical muscle relaxant |
| vinblastine | rosy periwinkle (Catharanthus roseus) |
anticancer drug |
| vincristine | rosy periwinkle (Catharanthus roseus) |
anticancer drug |
For more information, at other Web sites...
- Race to Find the Cure: Isolation of Chemicals from Plant
Leaves (pdf format) an activity simulating the isolation of active
plant compounds, from the University of Arizona Center for Toxicology
Southwest Environmental Health Sciences Center Community Outreach and Education Program Educational
Resources.
Relevant National Science Education
Standards
Physical
Science The activity asks students to know the molecular structure of
the drug they have been assigned to research.
Science and
Technology The activity introduces students to the abilities and
limits of natural drug technology.
Science in
Personal and Social Perspectives The activity demonstrates the impact
of science on health issues. Relevant New Jersey State Science Curriculum
Standards
Teacher's
Guide Directory | Student
Version Directory | Pharmaceutical
Achievers Home
Unifying
Concepts and Processes In this activity students will explore the
interactions of many systems, from the plants that produce the medicinal
compounds to the human body in which the drugs are used.
5.2
This activity will introduce students to many serendipitous
discoveries coming from all parts of the world, made by people of many
cultures.
5.5
This activity introduces students to a wide variety of plants
and fungi.
5.6
The bonus question deals with the molecular nature of the drugs
being investigated.
Copyright ©2001 The
Chemical Heritage Foundation
