Block A

Question 1

Define pharmacology

Answer 1

the mechanisms of action, uses and unwanted effects of drugs on living tissues

Question 2

What is a agonist?

Answer 2

A drug that binds to a receptor, activating it

Question 3

What is the term for a drug that diminishes the effect of an agonist

Answer 3

an antagonist

Question 4

What’s efficacy

Answer 4

the ability of a drug to activate the receptor

Question 5

What’s affinity

Answer 5

the binding of a drug to its receptor

Question 6

Name the type of agonist that produces a maximum response

Answer 6

full agonist

Question 7

Name the type of agonist that produces a submaximal response

Answer 7

partial agonist

Question 8

Describe Pharmacological antagonism

Answer 8

when drugs counteract each other by acting on the same receptor type

Question 9

Describe Physiological antagonism

Answer 9

when drugs counteract each other by producing opposing effects on different receptors

Question 10

Describe Chemical antagonism

Answer 10

when one drug antagonises the action of another by chemically combining with it

Question 11

define iatrogenicity

Answer 11

producing a disease from drugs or a physician

Question 12

define teratogenicity

Answer 12

the capacity to produce abnormalities of a foetus

Question 13

which one of in vivo and ex vivo studies on live subjects?

Answer 13

in vivo

Question 14

what 4 areas do drugs target

Answer 14

-ion channels
-enzyme inhibitors
-transporters
-receptors

Question 15

When drugs target receptors, when it enhances cellular activity its called an ____

Answer 15

agonist

Question 16

How does Salbutamol work? (5 marks)

Answer 16

-activates a GPCR receptor called B 2 receptor
-this causes an increase in intracellular cAMP
-cAMP inhibits calcium release
-airway contraction is mediated by calcium
-so decrease in calcium leads to more free airways.

Question 17

Is Salbutamol an agonist or antagonist

Answer 17

Agonist

Question 18

How does H1 blocker work? (3 marks)

Answer 18

-Mepyramine attaches to the H1 receptors
-blocking histamine from activating the receptor
-prevents symptoms like itching and swelling

Question 19

Is H1 blocker an agonist or antagonist, and why?

Answer 19

Antagonist, when it blocks the H1 receptor it inhibits cellular activity

Question 20

How does Penicillin work? (2 marks)

Answer 20

-inhibits cell wall formation
-without a cell wall it is vulnerable to outside pressure and dies

Question 21

Is Penicillin an agonist or antagonist, and why/

Answer 21

Antagonist, since it blocks cell formations it inhibits cellular activity

Question 22

Describe the use of drugs that target receptors and ion channels, using examples. (6 marks)

Answer 22

-a drug that blocks a receptor is H1 blocker, also called mepyramine. this attaches to H1 receptor, blocking histamine from attaching and activating it. this prevent symptoms from allergies.
-a drug that activates a receptor is salbutamol. this activates a B2 receptor, which is a type of GPCR. this increases production of cAMP. cAMP inhibits calcium release. since calcium mediates airway restriction, a decrease will lead to more open airway
-lidocaine blocks the Na+ and Ca+ channels, it does this to prevent an action potential forming