Read the following passage carefully and answer the given questions.
Plasmodium, a tiny protozoan is responsible for the disease malaria. Different species of Plasmodium (P. vivax, P. malaria and P. falciparum) are responsible for different types of malaria. Of these, malignant malaria caused by Plasmodium falciparum is the most serious one and can even be fatal. Innate immunity consist of four types of barriers. These are — (i) Physical barriers- skin on our body is the main barrier which prevents entry of the micro-organisms. (ii) Physiological barriers- Acid in the stomach, saliva in the mouth, tears from eyes-all prevent microbial growth. (iii) Cellular barriers- Certain types of leukocytes (WBC) of our body like polymorpho-nuclear leukocytes (PMNL-neutrophils) and monocytes and natural killer (type of lymphocytes) in the blood as well as macrophages in tissues can phagocytose and destroy microbes. (iv) Cytokine barriers- virus-infected cells secrete proteins called interferons which protect non-infected cells from further viral infection. Allergy is due to the release of chemicals like histamine and serotonin from the mast cells. The use of drugs like anti-histamine, adrenalin and steroids quickly reduce the symptoms of allergy. Drugs like barbiturates, amphetamines, benzodiazepines, and other similar drugs, that are normally used as medicines to help patients cope with mental illnesses like depression and insomnia, are often abused.
Which one of the following drugs is not used as medicine to help patients cope with mental illnesses like depression and insomnia?
Answer & explanation
Correct answer: option 2
The correct answer is Option (2) → Cocaine
Option (1) Barbiturates — Used as medicine for mental illness. Barbiturates are sedatives, given to calm a patient and help with sleep.
Option (2) Cocaine — Not used as medicine for mental illness. Cocaine is a drug of abuse taken for the false feeling of energy and pleasure it gives. It is not one of the drugs the passage lists as medicines for depression and insomnia.
Option (3) Amphetamines — Used as medicine for mental illness. Amphetamines are stimulants, named in the passage among the medicines that are often misused.
Option (4) Benzodiazepines — Used as medicine for mental illness. Benzodiazepines are calming drugs, also named in the passage.
Note: The passage is taken from NCERT. NTA has put lines of the NCERT text together to make it. Most CUET (UG) questions come straight from NCERT, so study the book line by line, including figures and their titles.
NCERT Extract:
Drugs and Alcohol Abuse – “Coca alkaloid or cocaine is obtained from coca plant Erythroxylum coca, native to South America. It interferes with the transport of the neuro-transmitter dopamine. Cocaine, commonly called coke or crack is usually snorted. It has a potent stimulating action on central nervous system, producing a sense of euphoria and increased energy. Excessive dosage of cocaine causes hallucinations.”
Drugs and Alcohol Abuse – “… Drugs like barbiturates, amphetamines, benzodiazepines, and other similar drugs, that are normally used as medicines to help patients cope with mental illnesses like depression and insomnia, are often abused.”