L1) Intro To ICPP

Question 1

What is cell physiology?

Answer 1

Molecular signals regulating cellular physiological processes.

Question 2

How would you classify signalling molecules?

Answer 2

• endogenous (within the body)
• exogenous I - natural and plant based.
• exogenous II - synthetic and man made.

Question 3

Compare the half life and time course of action of amines, peptides and steroids as signalling molecules:

Answer 3

Amines - half life (seconds) and time course of action milliseconds to seconds.
Peptides - half life (minutes) and time course of action minutes to hours.
Steroids - half life (hours) and time course of action hours to days.

Question 4

Distinguish between an excitatory and inhibitory neurotransmitter:

Answer 4

Excitatory - signal increases firing rate post synaptically.
Inhibitory - signal decreases firing rate post synaptically.

Question 5

What do endogenous signalling molecules act as when they bind to their target?

Answer 5

Agonists

Question 6

What do exogenous signalling molecules mostly act as when they bind to their target?

Answer 6

Antagonists or partial agonists - block or attenuate (reduce) biological signals.

Question 7

What are the 4 signalling molecules targets and what acronym is used to describe this?

Answer 7

RITE 
Receptors
Ion channels 
Transporters 
Enzymes 

• exception is in chemotherapy.

Question 8

What are the 4 drugs target classes and what acronym is used to remember this?

Answer 8

KING 
Kinase linked receptors 
Ion channels (ligand gated) 
Nuclear/intracellular 
G - protein coupled receptors

Question 9

What is a ligand?

Answer 9

A signalling molecule that activates receptors.