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AQA GCSE · Question 01.3 · Organisation
In the past many drugs were extracted from plants. Aspirin is a painkiller. Which plant does aspirin originate from?
In the past many drugs were extracted from plants. Aspirin is a painkiller. Which plant does aspirin originate from?
How to approach this question
Recall the plant source of the chemical compound that was developed into aspirin.
Full Answer
Aspirin originates from the willow tree. The bark of the willow tree contains a compound called salicin, which has pain-relieving properties. This compound was later synthesised to create acetylsalicylic acid, the active ingredient in aspirin.
Common mistakes
✗ Foxglove (this is the source of digitalis, a heart drug).
✗ Penicillium (this is a fungus, not a plant, and is the source of penicillin).
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