The Fascinating World of Everyday Chemistry
Chemistry isn't just confined to test tubes and laboratories; it is deeply woven into the fabric of our daily lives. From the food we eat to the medicines that heal us, chemical compounds are everywhere.
In this problem, we are tasked with matching four distinct classes of drugs to their specific examples. This is a classic memory-based question from the chapter "Chemistry in Everyday Life", but understanding the why behind each drug makes it much easier to remember.
Let's break down each category step by step.
Soothing the Stomach
Antacids
We all know that uncomfortable burning sensation after a heavy, spicy meal. That is acidity, caused by excess hydrochloric acid in the stomach.
Antacids are the chemical heroes that come to the rescue. They work by neutralizing this excess acid, providing quick relief.
Looking at our list, Cimetidine is a classic example. It is a stomach acid reducer used to treat and prevent certain types of stomach ulcers. By blocking the histamine receptors in the stomach lining, it effectively lowers acid production. Therefore, we can confidently match (A) Antacid with (ii) Cimetidine.
The Sweetness Without the Guilt
Artificial Sweeteners
Next up, we have Artificial Sweeteners. In a world increasingly conscious of calorie intake and diabetes, these compounds are incredibly important.
They provide the sweet taste of sugar but contribute negligible calories to our diet.
Among the given options, Alitame stands out. It is a high-potency artificial sweetener—an aspartic acid-containing dipeptide that is roughly 2000 times sweeter than regular sugar! Because of its high potency, it is used in very small quantities. Thus, (B) Artificial sweetener pairs perfectly with (iv) Alitame.
Family Planning Chemistry
Antifertility Drugs
The third category is Antifertility Drugs. These are crucial chemical substances that help in family planning by suppressing the action of hormones that promote pregnancy.
Most of these drugs are synthetic estrogen and progesterone derivatives.
In our list, Novestrol, which is also known chemically as ethynylestradiol, is a widely used synthetic estrogen. It is a primary component in many oral contraceptive pills. This makes our next match clear: (C) Antifertility goes with (i) Novestrol.
Calming the Mind
Tranquilizers
Finally, we arrive at Tranquilizers. Mental health is just as important as physical health, and tranquilizers play a vital role in managing it.
These are neurologically active drugs prescribed to treat stress, anxiety, and various mental diseases. They work by inducing a sense of calmness and well-being.
Valium is one of the most famous and widely prescribed tranquilizers in the world. Introduced in the 1960s, it has helped millions manage severe anxiety. Therefore, (D) Tranquilizers matches with (iii) Valium.
Putting It All Together
Now that we have analyzed each class and its corresponding example, let's compile our final sequence:
(A) matches with (ii)
(B) matches with (iv)
(C) matches with (i)
(D) matches with (iii)
When we look at the given options, this exact sequence corresponds to the first option.
Final Answer: The correct match is (a).
By understanding the function and application of these everyday chemicals, questions like this become less about rote memorization and more about logical association!