International unit

High school (ages 12+)
Science & Technology

Name:

Date:

Step 1 · Read the article

Open the article and read it at the level above. Then answer the questions below in your own words.

https://smallwhale.org/articles/international-unit

Write what each word means, using the article.

Do not copy the article. Write two things you learned, the way you would explain them to a friend.

Answers below are taken from the article’s stored facts, so they match what the student read.

1. What is an International Unit (IU)?An IU measures how much a medicine or vitamin can work in the body, not how heavy it is. It helps doctors know the right dose no matter the brand. It is a way to compare the power of different preparations.
2. Why do scientists use International Units instead of grams or milliliters?Because the power of some medicines can change with where they come from, IU tells us how strong they are by their effect, not by weight. It makes sure a dose will work the same way even if the product is made differently. It keeps treatments safe and predictable.

Pharmacology: The scientific study of drugs and their effects on living systems.
Biological Activity: The measure of a substance's capacity to produce a specific effect in a biological system.
Bioassay: A type of scientific experiment that uses living organisms to measure the effect of a substance.