Introduction to Pharmacology Flashcards
What are the four molecular drug targets?
Receptors, enzymes, ion channels, and transporters.
True or False: Receptors can be located on the cell surface or inside the cell.
True.
Fill in the blank: The primary function of __________ is to bind to ligands and initiate a cellular response.
receptors
What is an example of a receptor drug target?
Beta-adrenergic receptors targeted by beta-blockers.
What role do enzymes play as drug targets?
Enzymes catalyze biochemical reactions and can be inhibited or activated by drugs.
Which type of drug target is often involved in metabolic pathways?
Enzymes.
What is an example of an enzyme that is a drug target?
Cyclooxygenase (COX) targeted by nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs).
True or False: Ion channels are involved in the movement of ions across cell membranes.
True.
Which molecular drug target can be selectively blocked to treat cardiac arrhythmias?
Ion channels.
What is an example of a drug that targets ion channels?
Calcium channel blockers.
What are transporters in the context of molecular drug targets?
Transporters are proteins that move substances across cell membranes.
Fill in the blank: The inhibition of __________ can affect neurotransmitter levels in the brain.
transporters
What is an example of a drug that targets transporters?
Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) that target serotonin transporters.
Multiple Choice: Which of the following is NOT one of the four molecular drug targets? A) Enzymes B) Hormones C) Receptors D) Transporters
B) Hormones.
What is the primary function of receptors in drug action?
To mediate the effects of hormones and neurotransmitters.
True or False: All drugs act by binding to one of the four molecular targets.
False.
What type of drug target is often involved in signal transduction pathways?
Receptors.
Fill in the blank: __________ can be used to inhibit the production of inflammatory mediators.
Enzyme inhibitors
What is the role of transporters in pharmacology?
To regulate the concentration of various substances in the body.
True or False: Ion channels can be selectively targeted to treat neurological disorders.
True.
What is a common mechanism of action for drugs that target enzymes?
Inhibition of enzyme activity.
Multiple Choice: Which drug type affects receptor activity? A) Antibiotics B) Antidepressants C) Antihypertensives D) All of the above
D) All of the above.
What is the significance of understanding molecular drug targets?
It helps in the rational design of drugs and understanding their mechanisms of action.
Fill in the blank: __________ are critical for the pharmacokinetics of drugs.
Transporters
What type of drug target is involved in the rapid signaling processes of the nervous system?
Ion channels.
What is an example of a drug that works by inhibiting an enzyme?
Statins, which inhibit HMG-CoA reductase.
What are the four main receptor subtypes?
- G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs), 2. Ion channel receptors, 3. Enzyme-linked receptors, 4. Intracellular receptors.
Which receptor subtype is associated with the second messenger cAMP?
G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs).
True or False: Ion channel receptors primarily function through altering membrane potential.
True.
Fill in the blank: Enzyme-linked receptors often have _____ activity.
kinase.
What is the primary signaling molecule for intracellular receptors?
Steroid hormones.
Which second messenger is primarily associated with phospholipase C activation?
Inositol trisphosphate (IP3) and diacylglycerol (DAG).
What type of receptor is the insulin receptor?
Enzyme-linked receptor.
Name one common second messenger associated with G protein-coupled receptors.
cAMP or calcium ions.
True or False: All receptor subtypes use the same signaling pathways.
False.
Which receptor subtype can directly alter gene expression?
Intracellular receptors.
What is the main function of ion channel receptors?
To allow specific ions to flow across the membrane in response to a signal.
Fill in the blank: G protein-coupled receptors activate _____ proteins.
G.
Which second messenger is important for smooth muscle contraction?
Calcium ions.
What is the role of diacylglycerol (DAG) in signaling?
To activate protein kinase C (PKC).
True or False: Enzyme-linked receptors typically have a slow response time.
False.
What type of signaling molecule interacts with GPCRs?
Neurotransmitters, hormones, and other ligands.
Which receptor subtype is characterized by a rapid response to stimuli?
Ion channel receptors.
What is the function of protein kinase A (PKA)?
To phosphorylate target proteins in response to cAMP levels.
Fill in the blank: _____ receptors bind ligands that can pass through the cell membrane.
Intracellular.
What second messenger is produced by the activation of adenylate cyclase?
cAMP.
Which receptor subtype can lead to changes in gene transcription?
Intracellular receptors.
True or False: Ion channel receptors are also known as voltage-gated receptors.
False; they can be ligand-gated or voltage-gated.
What type of receptor is involved in the signaling pathway for growth factors?
Enzyme-linked receptors.
Which second messenger system is involved with nitric oxide?
cGMP pathway.
What is the primary role of G proteins in signaling pathways?
To act as molecular switches in signaling cascades.
Fill in the blank: The _____ is a common second messenger involved in the response to many hormones.
cAMP.
What are ion channels?
Ion channels are protein structures in cell membranes that allow ions to pass through, facilitating various cellular processes.
True or False: Ion channels are always open.
False
What is gating in the context of ion channels?
Gating refers to the mechanism by which ion channels open or close in response to specific signals or stimuli.
Fill in the blank: Ion channels can be gated by _____, _____, or _____ signals.
voltage, ligands, mechanical
What is the role of voltage-gated ion channels?
Voltage-gated ion channels open or close in response to changes in membrane potential.
True or False: Ligand-gated ion channels require a molecule to bind to them to open.
True
What is an example of a ligand that can activate a ligand-gated ion channel?
Neurotransmitters, such as acetylcholine.
What is the function of mechanically-gated ion channels?
Mechanically-gated ion channels open in response to mechanical stress or deformation of the cell membrane.
How does phosphorylation affect ion channels?
Phosphorylation can modulate the activity of ion channels, either enhancing or inhibiting their opening.
What is the significance of ion selectivity in ion channels?
Ion selectivity determines which specific ions can pass through the channel, crucial for maintaining cellular homeostasis.
What type of ion channel is primarily involved in action potentials?
Voltage-gated sodium channels.
Define ‘inactivation’ in ion channels.
Inactivation is a temporary state where an ion channel is closed and unable to open, even if the activating signal is present.
What is the role of calcium ions in cellular signaling?
Calcium ions act as secondary messengers in various signaling pathways, influencing processes like muscle contraction and neurotransmitter release.
True or False: Ion channels can be modulated by changes in intracellular ion concentrations.
True
What is a common effect of channel blockers?
Channel blockers inhibit the flow of ions through specific ion channels, affecting cellular excitability and signaling.
Fill in the blank: The opening and closing of ion channels often leads to changes in _____ across the cell membrane.
membrane potential
What is a key characteristic of potassium channels?
Potassium channels typically allow K+ ions to flow out of the cell, contributing to the repolarization phase of action potentials.
What is the main function of chloride channels?
Chloride channels help regulate cell volume and maintain the electrochemical gradient across the membrane.
How do temperature changes affect ion channel activity?
Temperature changes can alter the conformation of ion channels, affecting their gating properties and ion permeability.
What is ‘desensitization’ in the context of ligand-gated ion channels?
Desensitization refers to a decrease in response to a ligand after prolonged exposure, even when the ligand is still present.
What is the role of auxiliary proteins in relation to ion channels?
Auxiliary proteins can modulate the function, trafficking, and gating properties of ion channels.
Fill in the blank: Ion channel dysfunction can lead to various _____ disorders.
neurological
What is the significance of the Nernst equation in understanding ion channels?
The Nernst equation calculates the equilibrium potential for a specific ion, helping to predict the direction of ion flow through channels.
What is the primary function of sodium-potassium pumps in relation to ion channels?
Sodium-potassium pumps help maintain the concentration gradients of Na+ and K+ across the membrane, which is crucial for proper ion channel function.
