Identify the correct effect of opioids on the human body.

The correct answer is Option (1) → Slows down body functions

Note: The given answer is as per the official NTA Answer Key. However, the question can have more than one correct answer, i.e. both Option (1) and Option (4), because NCERT says that heroin, an opioid, slows down body functions and that morphine, also an opioid, is a painkiller, as explained below.

Opioids are drugs that bind to specific opioid receptors in the central nervous system and the gastrointestinal tract. Morphine and heroin are opioids. Heroin is made from morphine, which is taken from the latex of the poppy plant.

(1) Slows down body functions — Correct. Heroin is a depressant and slows down body functions. This is the answer given by NTA.

(2) Enhances the body functions — Incorrect. Opioids depress the body. They do not speed it up.

(3) Kills pathogenic bacterial cells — Incorrect. Killing disease-causing bacteria is the job of antibiotics, not opioids.

(4) Relieves body pain — Also correct as per NCERT. Morphine is a very effective sedative and painkiller, useful for patients after surgery.

NCERT Extract:
Drugs and Alcohol Abuse – “Opioids are the drugs, which bind to specific opioid receptors present in our central nervous system and gastrointestinal tract. Heroin (Figure 7.7), commonly called smack is chemically diacetylmorphine which is a white, odourless, bitter crystalline compound. This is obtained by acetylation of morphine (Figure 7.7), which is extracted from the latex of poppy plant Papaver somniferum (Figure 7.8). Generally taken by snorting and injection, heroin is a depressant and slows down body functions.”