Which drugs are derived from animal substances?

The correct choice identifies thyroid hormone and insulin as drugs derived from animal substances. Both of these medications were originally sourced from animal organs before modern synthetic methods were developed.

Thyroid hormone, specifically thyroxine, was extracted from the thyroid glands of animals, notably pigs and cows, to treat conditions related to thyroid dysfunction. Insulin, crucial for managing diabetes, was originally isolated from the pancreases of dogs and cattle.

While some modern formulations may use synthetic or recombinant methods to produce these hormones, their historical availability and initial applications were heavily reliant on animal sources. Understanding this origin is important for grasping how pharmaceutical advances have evolved over time and the significance of animal-derived substances in medical treatments.

Other medications, like penicillin, aspirin, ibuprofen, acetaminophen, adrenaline, and quinine, have different origins, often being synthesized or derived from plants rather than animals.