Ali’s brother likes taking medicines. He sometimes even takes cough syrups even when he is not ill. One such day, he took cough syrup when he was healthy. After some time he started feeling nausea, headache and his body started itching. Ali’s father did not take him to the doctor and wanted to give medicine on his own. Ali insisted that his father should not give medicine to his brother on his own but should take him to a doctor.

After reading the above passage, answer the following questions:

(i) Mention the values shown by Ali.

(ii) Why did his body start itching and what kind of medicine will doctor prescribe him?

(iii) Why should medicines not be taken without consulting doctor?

(iv) Give one point of difference between agonist and antagonist.

(i) Ali’s reaction after reading the passage clearly indicates that he has caring and an empathetic attitude towards his brother. At the same time, Ali understands the situation well and could his knowledge at right point and the right time.

(ii) After consumption of medicine, Ali’s brother’s body started itching due to the production of histamines in his body. The doctor will generally prescribe an antihistamine dose to counteract this situation.

(iii) Medicine can be poisonous if the body does not find it to be suitable and it could result in the adverse effect on the body. Therefore it is required to consult doctor before consuming any medicine.

(iv) An agonist is a chemical that binds to a receptor and activates the receptor to produce a biological response. Antagonist is a drug that blocks a receptor.