CBSE Class 12 Chemistry Chapter 16: Everyday Life NCERT Solutions

Reviewed by NCERT Help Editorial Team · Updated on 29 Jul 2026

NCERT Solutions PDF Class 12 PDF

This chapter delves into the fascinating world of "Chemistry in Everyday Life" for Class 12 CBSE students. The NCERT Solutions provide clear explanations and answers to key concepts, including the classification of drugs, their mechanisms of action, and their applications. Students will explore various types of drugs such as antiseptics, disinfectants, analgesics, antipyretics, and tranquilizers. The solutions also cover important aspects like birth control pills and the properties of common drugs like aspirin. Understanding these topics is crucial for grasping the role of chemistry in improving human health and well-being. These solutions are designed to aid students in their exam preparation by offering detailed insights and accurate answers to the chapter's exercises, reinforcing their learning and building confidence.

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Quick info

Board	CBSE
Class	Class 12
Subject	Chemistry Exemplar
Session	2026
Language	English
Type	NCERT Solutions
Chapter	Chapter 16

Chapter summary

Chapter 16 of the CBSE Class 12 Chemistry syllabus, "Everyday Life," focuses on the chemical substances that impact our daily lives, particularly in medicine and health. The NCERT Solutions cover essential topics like the classification of drugs based on their molecular targets, pharmacological effects, and chemical structures. It explains the functions and examples of antiseptics, disinfectants, analgesics, antipyretics, tranquilizers, and antifertility drugs. The solutions also highlight the importance of understanding drug action and the role of chemistry in developing these vital substances.

Learning outcomes

Understand the classification of drugs based on different criteria.
Differentiate between antiseptics and disinfectants and their applications.
Explain the action and uses of analgesics and antipyretics.
Describe the role of tranquilizers and antifertility drugs.
Identify the molecular targets and pharmacological effects of various drugs.
Recognize the importance of chemistry in medicinal applications.

Topics covered

Paper topics

Antiseptics and Disinfectants
Analgesics
Antipyretics
Tranquilizers
Antifertility Drugs
Classification of Drugs
Drug Action
Molecular Targets of Drugs
Pharmacological Effects
Aspirin
Birth Control Pills
Chemistry in Everyday Life

Important topics

Classification of Drugs
Antiseptics vs. Disinfectants
Action and Uses of Aspirin
Role of Birth Control Pills
Molecular Targets in Drug Action

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Questions and Solutions

Question 1

Which of the following statements is not correct?

(a) Some antiseptics can be added to soaps

(b) Dilute solutions of some disinfectants can be used as antiseptic

(d) Antiseptic medicines can be ingested

Solution: The statement that is not correct is (d) Antiseptic medicines can be ingested. Antiseptics are antimicrobial substances applied to living tissues to reduce the possibility of infection. Examples include soframicine. Bithionol is an antiseptic compound often added to soaps. While dilute solutions of disinfectants, like a 0.2% phenol solution, can be used as antiseptics, stronger solutions (like 1% phenol) act as disinfectants. Crucially, antiseptic medicines are not meant for ingestion in the same way antibiotics are; they are for external application.

Question 2

Which is the correct statement about birth control pills?

(a) Contain estrogen only

(b) Contain progesterone only

(d) Progesterone enhances ovulation

Solution: The correct statement about birth control pills is (c) They contain a mixture of estrogen and progesterone derivatives. Birth control pills are essentially synthetic sex hormones used to prevent pregnancy. They typically consist of a combination of synthetic estrogen and progesterone derivatives. These hormones work by suppressing ovulation (the release of eggs from the ovaries) and also help in regulating the menstrual cycle. For instance, pills might contain norethindrone (a progesterone derivative) and novestrol (an estrogen). Progesterone actually suppresses ovulation, it does not enhance it.

Question 3

Which statement about aspirin is not true?

(a) Aspirin belongs to narcotic analgesics

(b) It is effective in relieving pain

(d) It is a neurologically active drug

Solution: The statement about aspirin that is not true is (a) Aspirin belongs to narcotic analgesics. Aspirin, chemically known as 2-acetoxybenzoic acid, is synthesized from salicylic acid. It functions by inhibiting the synthesis of prostaglandins, which are compounds that stimulate inflammation and cause pain. Therefore, aspirin is effective in relieving pain and also acts as an antipyretic (reduces fever) and an anti-inflammatory agent. Its ability to prevent blood platelet coagulation makes it useful in preventing heart attacks. Aspirin is a non-narcotic drug and does not cause addiction.

Question 4

The most useful classification of drugs for medicinal chemists is .....

(a) on the basis of chemical structure

(b) on the basis of drug action

(d) on the basis of pharmacological effect

Solution: The most useful classification of drugs for medicinal chemists is (c) on the basis of molecular targets. Drugs can be classified in several ways:

On the basis of chemical structure: Drugs with similar structural features often exhibit similar pharmacological activities.
On the basis of drug action: This classification focuses on the effect of a drug on a specific biochemical process.
On the basis of molecular target: Drugs interact with biomolecules like proteins, nucleic acids, and lipids, which are termed drug targets. This classification is highly valuable for medicinal chemists as it relates structural features to specific mechanisms of action on these targets.
On the basis of pharmacological effect: This classification is more useful for doctors, as it groups drugs by their therapeutic effects (e.g., analgesics for pain relief, antiseptics for microbial control).

Medicinal chemists find the molecular target classification most insightful for designing and understanding drug mechanisms.

Common mistakes

Confusing antiseptics with disinfectants.
Misunderstanding the classification criteria for drugs.
Incorrectly identifying the primary action of drugs like aspirin.
Not distinguishing between narcotic and non-narcotic analgesics.

Revision tips

Focus on understanding the different classifications of drugs and their relevance.
Memorize key examples of antiseptics, disinfectants, and analgesics.
Pay close attention to the distinction between drug action and pharmacological effect.
Review the specific uses and properties of common drugs like aspirin and birth control pills.

Practice MCQs

Q1. Which of the following statements about antiseptics and disinfectants is NOT correct?

Q2. What is the primary composition of birth control pills?

Q3. Which statement regarding aspirin is inaccurate?

Q4. For medicinal chemists, the most useful classification of drugs is based on:

Frequently asked questions

What is the main focus of CBSE Class 12 Chemistry Chapter 16?

Chapter 16, 'Everyday Life,' focuses on various chemical substances that are used in our daily lives, particularly in medicine and health, such as drugs, antiseptics, and analgesics.

How are antiseptics and disinfectants different?

Antiseptics are applied to living tissues (like skin or wounds) to kill or inhibit microbes, while disinfectants are used on inanimate objects to kill microbes.

What is the significance of classifying drugs based on molecular targets?

Classifying drugs by their molecular targets is most useful for medicinal chemists as it helps understand how drugs interact with specific biological macromolecules (like proteins or nucleic acids) and their mechanism of action.

What are the key components of birth control pills?

Birth control pills typically contain a mixture of synthetic estrogen and progesterone derivatives, which work by suppressing ovulation.

Is aspirin a narcotic drug?

No, aspirin is a non-narcotic drug. It is effective in relieving pain and reducing fever but does not cause addiction.

How can these NCERT Solutions help in exam preparation?

These solutions provide clear, rewritten answers to chapter questions, helping students understand the concepts thoroughly, reinforce their learning, and prepare effectively for their board examinations.

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