Introduction to Pharmacology Flashcards
What is pharmacodynamics?
Pharmacodynamics refers to the study of the pharmacological effects and the dose-response relationship of drugs, essentially what the drug does to the body.
What role do receptors play as drug targets?
Receptors are protein molecules that respond to endogenous mediators like hormones and neurotransmitters, playing a crucial role in cellular communication.
List the four categories of receptors.
- Ligand-gated ion channels
- G protein-coupled receptors
- Kinase-linked receptors
- Nuclear receptors
What are steroid hormones and how do they interact with nuclear receptors?
Steroid hormones, such as oestrogen, testosterone, and thyroid hormone, are lipid-soluble and can cross the plasma membrane to bind to nuclear receptors, initiating gene transcription.
What are ligand-gated ion channels?
Ligand-gated ion channels, also known as ionotropic receptors, allow for the passage of ions across the membrane, leading to fast cellular responses.
Describe G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs).
GPCRs, also known as metabotropic receptors, are involved in various cellular functions through second messengers like cyclic AMP and phospholipase C.
What are kinase-linked receptors involved in?
Kinase-linked receptors are involved in growth factor signalling and include pathways like the RAS/MAP kinase and JAK-STAT pathways.
What is the function of nuclear receptors?
Nuclear receptors are intracellular receptors that modulate gene transcription in response to lipid-soluble compounds and hormones.
What are ion channels?
Ion channels are protein molecules that form pores in the membrane, allowing ions to pass through and are characterized by selectivity and gating properties.
How do drugs target enzymes?
Drugs can target enzymes by acting as prodrugs, inhibitors, or false substrates, affecting enzyme activity and metabolic pathways.
What role do transporters play as drug targets?
Transporters are protein molecules involved in the reuptake of neurotransmitters and can be targeted by drugs to treat conditions like depression.
What is drug selectivity?
Selectivity refers to the ability of a drug to preferentially act on a particular receptor type, leading to desired effects with minimal side effects.
Define drug affinity.
Affinity is the strength of the interaction between a drug and its receptor, influencing the concentration needed to produce a response.
What is drug potency?
Potency is the dose of a drug required to produce a desired clinical effect, influenced by affinity and other factors.
What does drug efficacy refer to?
Efficacy is the ability of a drug to produce the maximum response possible for a biological system.
How do drugs interact with receptors?
Drugs can interact with receptors as agonists, antagonists, or allosteric modulators, affecting receptor activity.
What is receptor regulation?
Receptor regulation involves changes in receptor number and function in response to drug stimulation.
What does pharmacokinetics encompass?
Pharmacokinetics refers to how the body acts on a drug, encompassing the physiological processes a drug undergoes as it enters and exits the body.
What factors affect drug absorption?
- Route of administration
- Physicochemical properties of the drug
- Presence of food in the stomach
- pH of the environment
Define bioavailability.
Bioavailability refers to the amount of an administered drug that reaches the systemic circulation intact.
What is bioequivalence?
Bioequivalence is the requirement for a generic drug to have the same pharmacokinetic profile as the brand name or proprietary drug.
What is the significance of plasma protein binding?
Plasma protein binding refers to the reversible binding of drugs to plasma proteins, affecting their distribution and pharmacological effect.
What does the volume of distribution indicate?
Volume of distribution is a pharmacokinetic parameter that describes the extent of drug distribution between plasma and tissues.
What is the role of absorption in pharmacokinetics?
Absorption is the process by which a drug enters the systemic circulation, influenced by various factors including the route of administration and the drug’s physicochemical properties.
