Tag: Compounds

An Introduction to Molecules of Compounds

A molecule is a group of two or more atoms held together by chemical bonds, which are attractive forces. Molecules are the smallest particles of a substance that possess all of its physical and chemical properties. Many thousands of atoms make up biological molecules like protein and DNA. A compound is a molecule composed of atoms from various chemical elements. Compounds are divided into two types: molecular compounds and ionic compounds. They can only be broken down chemically. Compounds are made up of a fixed number of atoms held together by chemical bonds.

Compounds are homogeneous in nature and cannot be physically separated.

What are Molecules of Compound

A compound molecule is a combination of two or more atoms of different types. This means that molecules of compounds contain atoms from two or more different chemical elements, such as methane, water, carbon dioxide, ammonia, and so on. We can further categorize them based on the number of atoms in the molecule. The chemical bonding between the atoms can be either covalent or ionic.

Ionic bonds are always formed between molecules containing cations (positive ions) and anions (negative ions). As a result, an ionic compound is always formed between two different chemical elements. Covalent bonds are formed when two atoms share electrons equally.

What are the types of Elements?

1. Metals-They are substances with properties such as malleability, ductility, sonority, electrical and thermal conductivity, lustre, and solidity. Metals have extremely high melting points. The majority of pure metals are found in the earth’s crust. They are found in ores, which are solids. Zinc, iron, copper, aluminium, lead, chromium, cadmium, nickel, tin, zinc, and so on.
2. Non-Metals– They are substances that are neither malleable nor ductile and do not conduct heat or electricity. Carbon, sulphur, phosphorus, silicon, oxygen, and other elements are examples.
3. Metalloids– A chemical element with properties of both metals and non-metals. Metalloids have properties that fall somewhere between metals and non-metals. For example, arsenic, silicon, boron, and so on.

What are the types of Compounds?

1. Molecular Compounds-Molecules are compounds that can be formed by the combination of the same or different atoms. The atoms are joined to form a definite shape that is defined by the angles between the bonds and the lengths of the bonds. Carbon dioxide, water, ammonia, and other gases are examples.
2. Ionic Compounds- It is made up of both positive and negative ions. When dissolved in water, they completely decompose into ions. Examples include sodium chloride (NaCl), potassium chloride (KCl), copper sulphate (\(CuS{O_4}\)), and others.

Summary

When two or more elements combine chemically in a fixed mass ratio, the resulting product is known as a compound. Compounds are substances made up of two or more different types of elements in a fixed ratio of their atoms. When the elements combine, some of their individual properties are lost, and the newly formed compound has new properties.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. How do molecules form?

Ans: When atoms come close together, their electron clouds interact with one another. Other, as well as with nuclei If the energy of the system decreases as a result of the interaction, the atoms bond together to form a molecule.

2. What do you understand by molecules of compounds?

Ans: A molecule is a general term for any atoms that are linked together by chemical bonds. A molecule is any atom combination. A compound is a molecule composed of atoms from various elements. Not all molecules are compounds, but all compounds are molecules.

3. What are the types of Molecules of Compounds?

Ans: There are two types of compounds: molecular compounds and Ionic compounds. Atoms in molecular compounds are held together by covalent bonds. It is held together in salts by ionic bonds. These are the two types of bonds that every compound is composed of.

Introduction

Drugs, often known as medicines, are composed of chemical or natural compounds used to identify, treat, and prevent diseases or their symptoms. These medicines, when taken in limited amounts, are beneficial, but can be dangerous if not taken as prescribed. Drugs are known to alter a person’s mental state and physical well-being. As a result, long-term drug usage of more than the prescribed amounts may result in physiological alterations and can prove fatal.

Drug Abuse

Drug misuse is characterized as the unintentional use of medications that are not being used therapeutically in the required amounts. It unduly alters a person’s mental state and causes several issues, such as behavioural modifications, criminal activity, and a lack of efficacy in society. Nicotine, alcohol, heroin, club drugs, marijuana, and others are some of the drugs that are abused.

Sources of Drugs

Drugs initially were found in plant extracts, but recently are also synthesized in laboratories. Common sources of drugs-

• Plant source

Plants are a rich resource of various medicinally important compounds. Hence these can be used in treating various ailments. Following are a few plants and the drugs that they provide.Nux vomica– Strychnine,Papaver somniferum- Morphine, Atropa belladonna – Atropine, Digitalis purpurea- Digitoxin and digoxin.

• Animal source

Glands and internal organs of some animals are a rich source of various medicines such as Sheep thyroid giving thyroxine, the Liver of cod fish giving col liver oil, Pancreas of pigs providing insulin. Etc.

• Microbial sources

Various microorganisms release various chemical components for their self-defence which can be used as antimicrobial medicines by humans. Some of the drugs given by microbes are-Penicillin, Streptomycin, Dextran, Xanthan etc.

• Biosynthetic sources

Biosyhtetic drugs are drugs engineered in labs but organisms (plant or animal or microbe) are used for the development of the drugs. Some methods through which biosynthetic drugs are made are-the rDNA technology, immunology, biotechnology, molecular biology etc. For eg- the Hepatitis B vaccine.  

Prevention and Control

The social experiences of children and adolescents affect how their minds develop. This may lead to the development of the habit of smoking, drinking alcohol, or using drugs. Hence parents and instructors should direct them in the appropriate direction and prevent such kinds of abuse.

The following actions can be taken to prevent and manage alcohol and drug abuse:

• Children typically imitate the behaviours of their family members, neighbours, and role models. Therefore, how parents and other family members feel about using alcohol, drugs, and smoking may have an impact on how children think.
• Hence, if any member of the family drinks or uses drugs then that should be stopped immediately.
• Continue monitoring the child’s attitude and behaviour patterns.
• When children are struggling with pressures, stress, disappointments, and failures, they require counselling, and parents and teachers should take the appropriate steps to do so.
• If it is discovered that the youngsters are abusing alcohol and/or drugs, their family members should notify the parents and take immediate action on that matter.
• Such issues of drug abuse are highly-sensitive matters, hence should be dealt with with care and precaution.

Summary

A substance that interacts with the body’s macromolecules to produce a physiological or psychological response is considered a drug.  It can be given by several means, including ingestion, inhalation, intravenous, and smouldering. Regular usage of alcohol and drugs can result in drug addiction, which then leads to drug dependency, which adversely affects both the individual and society. Drugs target the human central nervous system and hence can negatively impact the body. Hence, their use should be minimized, and patients should only take medicines when necessary and for therapeutic reasons only.

Frequently Asked Questions 

1. What are synthetic drugs?
Ans: Synthetic medications are those that have had the chemical derivatives of natural drugs rearranged to change their original qualities and chemical structures. Examples include phenytoin, antihistamines, paracetamol, acetylsalicylic acid, and chloroquine.

2. What are semi-synthetic sources?
Ans: Semi-synthetic drugs are from natural sources, and are hybrids that merely undergo chemical alterations, to increase their effectiveness. Examples include heroin (from morphine), ampicillin (from penicillin), and homatropine (from atropine).

3. Give the most common causes of drug abuse.
Ans: Disappointments, Depression, Failures, exposure to drugs from parents or family members, Curiosity, etc are some of the few reasons for drug and alcohol abuse.