Scifri Quiz: The Dope On Doping

1. Which drug increases the number of red blood cells thereby increasing the transport of oxygen in the body?

EPO (Erythropoietin)

Clenbuterol

Human growth hormone

Athletes, particularly distance runners and cyclists, have used EPO to improve their endurance.

Explanation

Athletes, particularly distance runners and cyclists, have used EPO to improve their endurance.

2. Which of these natural substances is required by the human body, but banned for use as a supplement by all sporting bodies?

Blood

Milk

Fiber

Vitamin D

Blood doping (receiving infusions of your own or another's red blood cells) enhances the body's oxygen delivery mechanism. The World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) does not allow transfusions except in the case of medical emergencies.

Explanation

Blood doping (receiving infusions of your own or another's red blood cells) enhances the body's oxygen delivery mechanism. The World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) does not allow transfusions except in the case of medical emergencies.

3. Which of the following does not increase the efficiency of oxygen delivery in the blood?

EPO (Erythropoietin)

Training at high altitude

Human growth hormone

Spending time in a low oxygen tent

Human growth hormone does not increase the efficiency of oxygen delivery in the blood. EPO (Erythropoietin) is a hormone that stimulates the production of red blood cells, which carry oxygen. Training at high altitude increases the production of red blood cells and improves the body's ability to utilize oxygen. Spending time in a low oxygen tent also stimulates the production of red blood cells. However, human growth hormone primarily promotes growth and development, but it does not directly affect oxygen delivery in the blood.

Explanation

Human growth hormone does not increase the efficiency of oxygen delivery in the blood. EPO (Erythropoietin) is a hormone that stimulates the production of red blood cells, which carry oxygen. Training at high altitude increases the production of red blood cells and improves the body's ability to utilize oxygen. Spending time in a low oxygen tent also stimulates the production of red blood cells. However, human growth hormone primarily promotes growth and development, but it does not directly affect oxygen delivery in the blood.

4. This is the structural diagram of which drug that increases heart rate and blood flow to muscle by activating noradrenaline receptors in the lungs?

EPO (Erythropoietin)

Clenbuterol

Human growth hormone

Clenbuterol is the correct answer because it is a drug that increases heart rate and blood flow to muscles by activating noradrenaline receptors in the lungs. EPO (Erythropoietin) and Human growth hormone do not have this specific mechanism of action.

Explanation

Clenbuterol is the correct answer because it is a drug that increases heart rate and blood flow to muscles by activating noradrenaline receptors in the lungs. EPO (Erythropoietin) and Human growth hormone do not have this specific mechanism of action.

5. Which of these foods has recently been shown to make runners use oxygen more efficiently?

Dill pickles

Grapefruit juice

Bacon

Beetroot juice

Like nitrate pills, beetroot juice has been shown to make athletes use oxygen more efficiently.

Explanation

Like nitrate pills, beetroot juice has been shown to make athletes use oxygen more efficiently.

6. Caffeine in large doses was prohibited by the World Anti-Doping Agency until what year?

2000

1988

2004

Caffeine has never been prohibited

Caffeine was removed from the Prohibited List in 2004. Its use in sport is not currently prohibited.

Explanation

Caffeine was removed from the Prohibited List in 2004. Its use in sport is not currently prohibited.