goated deck Flashcards
What is the doctrine of signatures?
Things in the world are encoded with clues as to their purpose.
Why are all-in-one cold medications a poor choice?
Many ingredients interfere with each other.
What is a counter-indication?
A condition for which a medication should NOT be used.
What is trepanation?
Cutting a hole in the skull.
Which herbal remedy interacts poorly with Tylenol?
St. John’s wort.
What is the most common cause of cancer?
Tobacco.
How does a GC/MS detect steroid use?
GC sorts molecules; MS weighs them.
Which drug killed cyclists (1987-1989)?
Erythropoietin (EPO).
Why is aspirin a stomach irritant?
Decreases mucus production and increases acid.
What is a teratogen?
A substance causing birth defects.
What is apoptosis?
Cellular self-destruction.
How was cisplatin discovered?
By passing electric current through platinum electrodes.
What food increases cancer risk if consumed excessively?
Steak (processed/red meat).
Why are tumors difficult to treat?
Tumor cells are similar to normal cells
What does EPO do in the body?
Stimulates red blood cell production.
What is the safest way to obtain human protein for drug use?
Genetic modification (recombinant DNA).
Why does penicillin cause allergies?
Its structure resembles allergens.
What is the leading cause of death due to tobacco?
Heart attack (not lung cancer).
What is the primary immunologic memory cell for bacterial infections?
B cells.
Why are adjuvants added to vaccines?
To enhance immune response.
What is thiomersal?
A vaccine preservative.
What neurotransmitter do hallucinogens mimic?
Serotonin.
What is the airspeed velocity of an unladen swallow?
~11 m/s (African or European?).
What is the basis for selectivity in cancer chemotherapy?
Tumor cells grow much faster than normal cells.
How long does tumor formation typically take?
About 20 years.
What percentage of fatal cancers are caused by smoking?
30%.
Which performance-enhancing substance is hardest to detect?
Erythropoietin (EPO).
How do anabolic steroids benefit athletes?
Enlarge existing muscle cells.
Why were amphetamines given to WWII soldiers?
To prevent drowsiness.
Which country first used testosterone for sports training?
Soviet Union.
How is recombinant human protein made?
Insert human gene into bacteria.
What does a GC peak size indicate?
Amount of molecules present.
What drug masks steroid use?
Epitestosterone.
How long does blood doping take?
About 1 month.
How do sulfa drugs inhibit bacteria?
Block coenzyme F production.
What was the leading cause of death in 1900?
Infection.
Which antibiotic causes cells to explode?
Penicillin.
What microbe type do antibiotics target?
Bacteria.
Why was penicillin mass-produced using corn steep liquor?
It provided ideal nutrients.
What technique treats necrotizing fasciitis?
Debridement.
What smoking-related disease kills most people?
Heart attack.
How much nicotine is in one cigarette?
About 2mg.
Why is carbon monoxide dangerous?
Interferes with oxygen transport.
What defines addictiveness scientifically?
Dependence, withdrawal, tolerance.
What happens when a messenger binds to a receptor?
The receptor changes shape.
What’s the most dangerous e-cigarette substance?
Carbonyls.
What do antibodies stick to?
Epitopes.
What cell carries IgM antibodies?
B cells.
What do killer T cells display?
CD8 receptor.
What do most vaccines contain?
Dead/attenuated microbes.
What is squalene converted into?
Steroids.
Why did parents link autism to vaccines?
Symptoms appear at vaccination age.
What is adaptive immunity’s function?
Delayed but specific response.
How does the immune system recognize infected cells?
T cells stick to MHC+viral protein.
What disease had only 37 global cases last year?
Polio.
What is used to make flu vaccines?
Eggs.
What inflates risk perception?
Dread (emotional response).
What two factors determine drug risk?
Exposure and toxicity.
What is risk?
Probability of harm.
What is a hazard?
Potential source of harm (e.g., stored paint).
What was amphetamines’ first medical use?
Nasal decongestant.
Why did the IOC restrict drugs?
Unfair competitive advantage.
How did East Germany mask steroid use?
Injected epitestosterone.
What’s false about modern penicillins?
Most sold today are natural forms.
Why did early smokers prefer pipes?
Reduced throat irritation.
What tobacco substance doesn’t cause cancer?
Nicotine.
Why add ammonia to cigarettes?
Increases nicotine delivery.
What doesn’t contain squalene?
Influenza vaccine.
What disease kills most globally today?
AIDS
Why design artificial drugs?
Natural ones are hard to mass-produce.
How do people misjudge risk?
Emotional over rational responses.
What was Joseph Lister’s breakthrough?
Antisepsis.
What was associated with doctrine of signatures?
Mandrake root.
What did the 1907 Board of Food/Drug Inspection do?
Ensure proper drug labeling.
What’s true about aspirin’s discovery?
First isolated from willow bark.
What drug should children avoid?
Aspirin (Reye’s syndrome risk).
What’s the difference between brand/generic drugs?
Price (same active ingredient).
What shouldn’t you use for a hangover?
Acetaminophen (liver risk).
How do triptans abort migraines?
Activate serotonin signals.
What’s true about cold transmission?
Via touching contaminated surfaces.
What do antihistamines do?
Clear runny eyes, stop sneezing, cause drowsiness.
Best nasal decongestant for colds?
Pseudoephedrine (e.g., Sudafed).
What was Henrietta Lacks’ contribution?
Source of HeLa cell line.
How do most cancer drugs work?
Trigger apoptosis.
How do doctors typically choose treatments?
Statistical benefit/risk analysis.
What’s false about plant-derived drugs?
They’re safer than synthetics.
How much is spent on OTC drugs yearly in NA?
$25 billion.
What was a bodily humor?
Yellow bile.
What most improved human survival?
Pure drinking water.
What term described fake medicines in 1800s?
Patent medicines.
What % of world drugs does the US consume?
49%.
Why use chlorophyll for bad breath?
It neutralizes odors.
Ancient major drug source?
Plants.
Why is children’s Tylenol sold in small bottles?
Prevent accidental overdose.
What drug causes liver damage?
Acetaminophen (Tylenol).
How does aspirin work?
Blocks cyclooxygenase from making prostaglandins.
What drug reduces fever?
Antipyretic (e.g., acetaminophen).
Source of synthetic drug chemicals?
Coal tar.
Why was Vioxx removed?
The company was losing too much money in lawsuits.
What’s true about aspirin’s discovery?
First synthetic drug.
Why do NSAIDs cause stomach irritation?
Block COX-1 (protects stomach).
Which products contain the same drug?
Advil and Motrin (both ibuprofen).
Pain-relieving chemical in willow bark?
Salicin.
Most fatal aspirin poisonings are from?
Suicide (intentional overdose).
Generic vs brand name similarities?
Same active ingredient, dose, bioavailability.
Source of first artificial drugs?
Coal tar waste.
Original purpose of trepanation?
Treat schizophrenia (release spirits).
Final migraine stage?
Postdrome (recovery).
True about vascular headaches?
Some caused by poisons.
How do triptans reduce migraine pain?
Replace serotonin.
Source of tension headache pain?
Skull muscle squeezing.
Hangover severity predictor?
Congener content (darker drinks worse).
What percentage of men get migraines?
6%.
Common aura phase effect?
Scotomas (visual disturbances).
Least hangover-contributing metabolite?
Acetic acid.
What is MSG’s purpose?
Flavor enhancer.
Original MSG source?
Seaweed.
What do decongestants do?
Reduce nasal secretions.
How are colds most often transmitted?
Touching contaminated surfaces.
Difference between sinus/regular cold?
None (same viruses).
What treats sore throat in colds?
Benzocaine (numbing agent).
Best cold medication selection method?
Match ingredients to symptoms.
How many cold-causing viruses exist?
200+.
What doesn’t contain antihistamines?
Anti-nausea medication.
Why do older people get fewer colds?
Built immunity over time.
Best statistical risk evaluation?
Absolute numbers.
Why use relative benefits in ads?
They appear larger.
Why avoid statistics for risk decisions?
Emotional need for certainty.
What limited taxol development?
Scarcity of yew trees.
Which of the following was highly profitable for the drug industry because of illegal use?
Methamphetamine.
What does a human cell use to signal to the immune system that it is infected with a virus?
MHC receptor.
What is the major reason why industrial chemicals are dangerous?
Industrial chemicals are produced in very large quantities.
What is the most common side effect of first generation antihistamines?
Drowsiness.
What potentially serious side effect is associated with asthma inhalers?
Heart attack.
What is the most common side effect of metal heart valve replacement?
Clicking sound.
According to Health Canada, how much salt should the average person consume each day?
a. 1000 – 1500 mg.
Which blood pressure regulatory system can be controlled with drugs?
Secondary.
Which of the following natural remedies is highly effective in treating congestive heart failure?
Foxglove.
What natural health product does Health Canada warn against taking for angina?
Arginine.
Which of the following indicates an increased risk of heart attack?
LDL/HDL ratio more than 5.
Why are vegetable oils hydrogenated by the food industry?
Improve mouth feel of food.
What legal loophole did Pfizer use to get fast-track FDA approval for Lipitor?
Orphan Drug Act.
What drugs are added to herbal incense?
Designer analgesics.
What patent medicine was the alcoholic version of Coca-Cola?
Vin Mariani.
How is cocaine converted into crack?
Dissolve cocaine hydrochloride in water and add baking soda.
Which of the following is characteristic of LSD intoxication?
Sensation of flying.
What neurotransmitter do many hallucinogens resemble?
Serotonin.
Bath salts are ‘legal’ versions of what natural (but illegal) narcotic?
Khat (cathinone).
What ‘smart’ drug is given to everyone in Canada, essentially without their knowledge?
Iodide.
How large is the world market for counterfeit drugs?
$75 billion.
Why do many people take saw pimento?
Benign prostate hyperplasia.
Why do some people take glucosamine supplements?
Arthritis.
What substance, found in human sweat, is present in many perfumes and colognes?
Androstenone.
What substance is released during breastfeeding and promotes mother-child bonding?
Oxytocin.
What is a substance that elicits a specific unlearned response in another member of the same species called?
Pheromone.
How are most aphrodisiacs discovered?
By applying the doctrine of signatures.
What did Giles Brindley ask members of his audience to do?
Touch his erection.
Why was Alprostadil considered a success?
It proved that erectile dysfunction had a physical cause.
The biggest obstacles to using appropriate pain medications for those experiencing chronic pain is
Social attitudes and legal barriers.
