chemotherapy

Question 1

what are the four types of chemotherapy?

Answer 1

Antimetabolite
Alkylating agents
Mitotic inhibitors (or spindle poisons)
Antimitotics Antibiotics

Question 2

Describe an alkylating agent

Answer 2

Alkyl group - covalently binds to guanine when the DNA is unzipped, so DNA cannot be used as a template for replication

Question 3

name an alkylating agent

Answer 3

cisplatin

Question 4

Describe antimetabolites

Answer 4

they have a similar structure to metabolites used in mitosis
they integrate into nuclear material or bind irreversibley to enzymes - prevent division

Question 5

What are two types of spindle poisons / mitotic inhibitors called?

Answer 5

Vinca alkylyoid

Taxanes

Question 6

How does vinca alkaloid work?

Answer 6

It blocks spindle formation - blocks microtubules - arrests metaphase

Question 7

How does taxanes work

Answer 7

Promote spindle formation - freeze it at the stage (stabilise microtubules against depolymerisation)

Question 8

Name an anti mitotic antibiotic

Answer 8

Bleomycin

Question 9

How do anti mitotic antibiotics work

Answer 9

prevent DNA and RNA synthesis
Bind to membrane - increase permeability of ions.
Metal ions cause cytotoxic compound to come through
Alkylation blocks DNA replication