C3.1.3 - Nanoparticles in medicine

Question 1

Give some medical uses of nanoparticles.

Answer 1

Cancer drugs with no side effects
Bandages that detect infections
Magnetic treatments to destroy tumours

Question 2

What do we call the use of nanoparticles to treat disease?

Answer 2

Nanomedicine

Question 3

How are nanoparticles used in bandages to show when a wound has become infected?

Answer 3

Each nanoparticle contains a dye.
The infected wound produces bacteria.
The bacteria break into the nanoparticle.
Dye is released and stains the bandage.

Question 4

What are the advantages of using nanoparticles containing dye in bandages?

Answer 4

Doctors can detect and treat infections quicker

Bandages do not need to be removed to check for infection.

Question 5

How are nanoparticles used to deliver drugs to different parts of the body?

Answer 5

Nanoparticles are small enough to get into cells.

Nanoparticles carry the drug inside cells and then break up, releasing the drug

Question 6

How are iron nanoparticles used to treat tumours?

Answer 6

1. Iron nanoparticle injected into tumour.
2. A magnetic field is applied and its direction turned frequently.
3. The tumour cell will heat up.
4. The heated up tumour cells will die but
   nearby cells will not as they do not contain nanoparticles.