Intersection of Biochemistry & Pharmacology

Question 1

Define and describe pharmacology

Answer 1

substances that interact with living systems through chemical processes

Question 2

Define and describe pharmacodynamics

Answer 2

what the drug does to the body

Question 3

Define and describe pharmacokinetics

Answer 3

what the body does to the drug

Question 4

Understand and explain the concept and utility of half-life

Answer 4

time it takes for half of the drug to be metabolized

Question 5

Understand and explain the order of kinetics and the difference between the three reaction orders

Answer 5

zero-order:
-rate of formation of product is independent of changes in concentrations of any of the reactants
-time on x-axis; molarity on y-axis
-slope doesn’t change – no change in rate of reaction
-changes by changing temp. or adding catalyst
-rate law is rate =k
-constant reaction rate = rate constant
first-order:
-rate = k[A]
-rate is directlly proportional to concentration of only 1 reactant
second-order
(all can only be determined experimentally)

Question 6

Understand and explain kinetics as it relates to elimination of drugs in the body

Answer 6

Zero-order
- straight line on graph (conc. vs time)
First-order
- shallow slope on graph (conc. vs time)

Question 7

Define agonist

Answer 7

substance that initiates a physiological response when combined with a receptor

Question 8

Define antagonist

Answer 8

substance that interferes with or inhibits the physiological action of another

Question 9

What is essential for metabolism of medications?

Answer 9

• cytochrome enzymes – mostly P450
  
  • 6 types of P450 metabolize 90% of drugs
  • most significant P450 enzymes are CYP3A4 & CYP2D6

Question 10

What is the sinificance of the area under the curve of pharmacokinetics graph?

Answer 10

insight into the exposure of to a drug and its clearnace from the body