Medicinal Inorganic Chemistry 3

Question 1

Name 3 alkali metals

Answer 1

Lithium
Sodium
Potassium

Question 2

Where are alkali metals found in the periodic table?

Answer 2

First vertical column

= s block metals

Question 3

Describe the structure of alkali metals

Answer 3

Only 1 electron in their outer shell = outer electron of an s-orbital type
Low ionisation energy
Most compounds of group 1 elements tend to be ionic in nature

Question 4

Which alkali metal has the greatest ionisation energy?

Answer 4

Lithium

Question 5

Which alkali metal has the lowest ionisation energy

Answer 5

Francium

Question 6

Which element has the lowest melting and boiling point?

Answer 6

Francium

Question 7

Which element has the highest melting and boiling point?

Answer 7

Lithium

Question 8

Which element has the greatest atomic radius?

Answer 8

Francium

Question 9

What state are alkali metals found in?

Answer 9

As salts, not in elemental state

Question 10

How are alkali metals extracted from salts?

Answer 10

Electrolysis starting from NaCl

Question 11

What is oxidation?

Answer 11

Loss of electrons

Question 12

What is reduction?

Answer 12

Gain of electrons

Question 13

Give an example of a reduction equation, oxidation equation and its overall redox reaction

Answer 13

Reduction: Fe –> Fe(2+) + 2e-
Oxidation: Cu(2+) –> Cu +2e-
Overall redox: Fe + Cu(2+) –> Fe(2+) + Cu

Question 14

What does an increase of oxidation state imply about the gain or loss of electrons?

Answer 14

Increase in oxidation state = loss of electrons

Question 15

What is the general reduction equation?

Answer 15

Oxidant + e- –> Product

i.e. gain of electrons

Question 16

What is the general oxidation equation?

Answer 16

Reductant –> product +e-

i.e. loss of electrons

Question 17

Describe 3 properties of alkali metals

Answer 17

Very reactive
Soft
Storage under oil or oxygen free atmosphere

Question 18

Name 2 industrial uses of lithium

Answer 18

Batteries

Glass manufacture

Question 19

Name 2 clinical uses of lithium

Answer 19

Manic depression

Bipolar disorder

Question 20

What form is lithium in so it can be taken orally?

Answer 20

Li2CO3 - least irritating to GI tract
Total dose of up to 30 mmol/day
Very narrow therapeutic index

Question 21

How does lithium act in the body?

Answer 21

Alters magnesium balance in blood and urine - Li+ displaces it
Lithium not soluble in lipids so will not cross plasma membrane
Exchange into cells by lithium-sodium counter-transport and anion exchange

Question 22

List 3 side effects of taking Lithium

Answer 22

Tremors - usually in fingers
Memory problems
Weight gain

Question 23

Why should NSAIDs and lithium not be taken concurrently?

Answer 23

NSAIDs cause reduced clearance of lithium through kidneys - lithium poisoning possible

Question 24

Why should diuretics and lithium not be taken concurrently?

Answer 24

Sodium depletion makes lithium toxicity worse = hazardous

Question 25

List 3 biological roles of sodium

Answer 25

Osmoregulation = maintenance of body fluids
Functioning of neurons and transmission of nerve impulses via build up of electrostatic potential across cell membranes
Passive transport mechanism

Question 26

Define: Osmosis

Answer 26

The physical process of diffusion of a solvent (water) through a semi-permeable membrane towards an area of high solute (salt) concentration
= Equalises the concentrations

Question 27

Define: Hypertonic solution

Answer 27

The solution has a higher concentration of solutes than the surrounding area
This area will gain water through osmosis

Question 28

Define: Isotonic solution

Answer 28

The solution has the same concentration of solutes as the surrounding area
No movement of water will occur

Question 29

Define: Hypotonic solution

Answer 29

The solution has a lower concentration of solutes than the surrounding area
This area will lose water through osmosis

Question 30

Define: Hypernatraemia

Answer 30

High plasma concentration of sodium

>145 mmol/L

Question 31

Name a consequence of hypernatraemia

Answer 31

CV disorders e.g. hypertension

Question 32

Define: Hyponatraemia

Answer 32

Low plasma concentration of sodium

Result of dysfunctional kidneys or sodium loss in bowels

Question 33

How does hyponatraemia harm the body?

Answer 33

Causes damage to the body via osmotic imbalances

Question 34

List 3 signs of sodium deficiency (hyponatraemia)

Answer 34

Low blood pressure
Dehydration
Muscle cramps

Question 35

List 3 symptoms of sodium overdose

Answer 35

Vomiting
Ulceration of GI tract
Renal damage

Question 36

How does potassium enable cell-cell communication?

Answer 36

Causes a short-lasting change of the membrane potential

Question 37

What are the 2 types of action potential that occur in animal cells?

Answer 37

Opening of calcium ion channels = longer lasting

Sodium/potassium-based action potential = shorter lasting

Question 38

Where is the sodium/potassium-based action potential found?

Answer 38

Mostly found in the brain and nerve cells

Because it is so short-lived

Question 39

Explain the Na+/K+ -based action potential

Answer 39

The osmotic balance between the cells and the interstitial fluid is altered
K+ concentration in and outside the cells is regulated by the Na+/K+-ATPase pump
3 Na+ ions are pumped outside the cell, 2K+ ions are actively transported into the cell using ATP
Therefore an electrochemical gradient over the cell membrane is created = resting potential

Question 40

List 2 symptoms of hyperkalaemia

Answer 40

Nausea and vomiting

Question 41

List 3 treatment options for acute hyperkalaemia

Answer 41

Diuretics
Dialysis
Calcium gluconate IV

Question 42

List 3 causes of hypokalaemia

Answer 42

Reduced potassium intake
Increased excretion
Diuretics treatment