Intro to Pharmacology

Question 1

How do cells communicate?

Answer 1

via signalling pathways

Question 2

What are the 3 classes of membrane proteins which are receptors?

Answer 2

• G-protein coupled receptors (interact with G proteins)
• Enzyme coupled receptors (receptor tyrosine kinase)
• Ion-channels

Question 3

How do most diseases occur?

Answer 3

Due to at least 1 breakdown of cellular communication

Question 4

What are some ways that cellular communication can have breakdowns?

Answer 4

• Loss of the signal (Type 1 diabetes for example, insulin isnt produced to be released)
• Failure to respond to signal (Type 2 diabetes for example, the receptor is insensitive to the signal)
• Failure of signal to reach target cell (Multiple sclerosis, damage to myelination impacting the nerve impulse - stops signal from passing down axon)
• Overexpression of signal (periodontitis - osteoclasts overactive resulting in bone resorption)

Question 5

How do drugs combat diseases?

Answer 5

By targeting the disrupted cell communication network