Drug Targets

Question 1

Drug?

Answer 1

substance producing a biological effect when administered to living organisms

Question 2

Sources for Drugs (6)

Answer 2

Plant or animal tissues
Extracted from bacteria / fungi culture 
Chemical synthesis 
Semi-sympathetic (chemical modification of compound isolated from plant / animal)
Genetic engineering

Question 3

Types of drug targets (4)

Answer 3

ENZYMES
RECEPTORS
ION CHANNELS
TRANSPORTER MOLECULES

Question 4

Enzymes

Answer 4

Usually a protein

Catalyses biochemical reactions

Question 5

Receptors

Answer 5

protein that recognises + responds to endogenous signals (ligand)
Ligand binds to receptor:
Causes cascade of chemical reactions
Causes biological response

Question 6

Drugs effect on Receptors

Answer 6

Some drugs bind to receptor + prevent natural ligand from binding = REDUCES BIOLOGICAL RESPONSE

Some drugs bind to recpetors + act as / mimic natural ligand = INCREASES BIOLOGICAL RESPONSE

Question 7

Ion channels

Answer 7

Membrane spanning proteins controlling movement of ions across membrane
Ions = charged molecules (can’t pass directly through lipid bilayer as they are hydrophilic)

Question 8

Voltage-gated Ion Channels

Answer 8

Charge difference outside + inside cell membrane

If charge difference is changed then voltage-gated ion channels OPEN

Question 9

Ligand gated Ion Channels

Answer 9

Ligand binds to the ion channel
Makes a conformation change in shape of ion channel
OPENS up pore so ions can move

Question 10

Transporter

Answer 10

Membrane spanning proteins controlling movement of small hydrophilic molecules across hydrophobic bilayer (e.g glucose)
By facilitated diffusion or active transpor