Question

Opium was used as an early method for pain reduction. Later, when converted to morphine, it became even more effective when injected into the bloodstream.

a) both statements are true
b) both statements are false
c) the first statement is true, the second is false
d) the first statement is false, the second is true

Answer 1

Both statements given are true; opium was used for pain relief historically, while morphine is more effective for pain relief, particularly when injected.

Step-by-step explanation:

The correct answer to the student's question is a) both statements are true. Opium has indeed been used historically as an early method for reducing pain. Morphine, which is derived from opium, became even more effective at pain reduction, particularly when injected into the bloodstream. Morphine is the primary pain reliever found in opium and constitutes about 10% of the crude opium extract. When properly utilized in medical settings, morphine can be a powerful analgesic, providing substantial pain relief before and after surgical procedures. Heroin, a semisynthetic derivative of morphine, possesses increased potency compared to morphine itself. Both morphine and codeine are opiates derived from the opium poppy and are used in medicine for their analgesic properties.