1. Principles of Drug Discovery Flashcards
Define physiology.
The study of normal functions of living organisms and their parts; what happens to tissues/organs of the body in the absence of disease or drugs
Understanding physiology is crucial for interpreting pathophysiology.
What is pathology?
The study of suffering; it describes the abnormal condition or defect in tissues/organs of the body in the presence of disease
Pathology helps in diagnosing diseases.
Define pathophysiology.
Abnormal functioning of diseased organs and its application to medical treatment and patient care
Pathophysiology is essential for identifying targets for potential therapeutics.
What is etiology?
The cause of the disease. When the etiology is unknown, the disease is termed idiopathic
Understanding etiology is vital for treatment approaches.
What distinguishes a disorder from a disease?
Disorder - an organ is normal, but malfunction exists. Disease may or may not be present
Disorders can exist without a diagnosed disease.
What does sickness refer to?
The physical and/or mental state of being ‘unwell,’ which can be influenced by emotions, self-image, or psychiatric problems
Sickness is a broader concept than disease.
Define genetic disease.
A disease in which genes are responsible for a structural or functional defect
Genetic diseases can be inherited or occur due to mutations.
What is a congenital disease?
A disease where genetic information is intact, but the intrauterine environment interferes with normal development
Congenital diseases can lead to various developmental issues.
What is an acquired disease?
A disease caused by factors encountered after birth, such as biological agents, physical forces, and chemical agents
Acquired diseases can arise from environmental exposures.
What are clinical manifestations?
Indications that a person is sick
These can include symptoms and signs.
Differentiate between symptoms and signs.
Symptoms - unobservable effects reported by the patient; Signs - observable or measurable traits
Understanding both is crucial for diagnosis.
What is a syndrome?
A characteristic combination of signs and symptoms associated with a particular disease
Syndromes help in identifying specific diseases.
Define pathogenesis.
The sequence of events in the development of a disease
Understanding pathogenesis is critical for developing treatment strategies.
What are sequelae?
Lesions or impairments resulting from a disease
Sequelae can impact long-term health outcomes.
What characterizes acute conditions?
Rapid onset, developing quickly, usually of short duration
Acute conditions often require immediate medical attention.
What defines chronic conditions?
Longer duration onset, which can be sudden or insidious
Chronic conditions often require long-term management.
What are the types of lesion distribution?
Lesion distribution can be:
* Local - confined to one area
* Systemic - widely distributed throughout the body
Understanding distribution helps in diagnosing diseases.
What is focal damage within an organ?
Damage that has one or more distinct sites of impact within an organ
Focal damage can indicate specific localized issues.
What does diffuse damage refer to?
Damage that is uniformly distributed throughout an organ
This can complicate diagnosis and treatment.
Define diagnosis.
Identification of the specific disease
Accurate diagnosis is crucial for effective treatment.
What is therapy in the context of disease?
The treatment of the disease to effect a cure or reduce signs and symptoms
Various therapeutic approaches exist based on the disease.
What does prognosis mean?
Prediction of a disease’s outcome
Prognosis can guide treatment decisions.
What is pharmacodynamics?
The study of the biochemical and physiologic effects of drugs and their mechanisms of action on the body
It is crucial for understanding drug action and effect.
What is signal transduction?
The process by which a signal on a cell’s surface is converted into a specific cellular response
This process is vital for normal cellular physiology.
What is the significance of understanding cell physiology?
It helps in understanding what goes wrong at the cellular level during disease
This knowledge is essential for drug discovery.
What is the role of receptor pharmacodynamics?
It considers both drug action and drug effect, impacting many stages of drug discovery
Understanding these concepts is essential for therapeutic development.
What is the relationship between the autonomic nervous system (ANS) and pharmacology?
The ANS regulates involuntary reactions to stresses on multiorgan systems, and pharmacological agents can help restore homeostasis
Autonomic pharmacology is crucial for treating various pathologies.
Fill in the blank: The loss of homeostasis or when physical or mental capacities cannot be fully utilized is known as _______.
[disease]
This definition highlights the impact of disease on overall health.
