Pharm Quiz 1 Flashcards
what is biochemistry?
study of the molecular basis of life
what is an ion?
electrically charged atom formed by the addition or loss of electrons
what is a molecule?
smallest unit of a pure substance (2+ atoms linked with a bond)
ex: H2O
Number of protons = atomic number on the periodic table (Z)
what is a radical ?
unstable atom that is very reactive
uncharged atom with equal protons and electrons
Radicals are released from chemical reactions in the body, and too many of them causes damage to other molecules
what are compounds?
more than 2 elements with a chemical union that is able to reproduce
can be broken back down into singular elements
Ex: adding heat to water
what is a mixture?
more than 2 different elements or compounds
can be separated into its components
Retains the properties of its components
Ex: sugar dissolved in water
what is a non-uniform mixture?
more than 2 substances that DONT bond or have fixed proportions
each substance keeps its own properties
Ex: mixing oil and water
what is the biological hierarchy?
atom, molecule, cell, tissue, organ, organism, population, ecosystem
usually a higher level structure has many copies of the lower level structure (ex: tissue contains many types of cells)
what is chemistry?
identifying substances, properties of those substances, the way it interacts and changes with other substances, and the use of these processes to make new substances
what is structural formula (chemistry) ?
graphical representation of the molecular structure (shows how atoms are arranged in that substance)
what is protein structure (chemistry)?
bio molecular structure of a protein molecule
Proteins are polypeptides formed from the building blocks of amino acid
what are chemical bonds?
attraction between atoms to form chemical substances
118 known elements that can combine to form different substances
what are the types of bonds?
covalent
non-covalent (hydrogen and ionic, van der waals bonds)
what is a covalent bond?
bonding between nonmetals (sharing a pair of electrons, and binding to each other with those shared electrons)
Hold together proteins, carbohydrates, and lipids
Strongest and most stable bonds
*** not involved in drug receptor interactions because so hard to break down
what are the types of non covalent bonds?
electrostatics (ionic), hydrogen, hydrophobic, and van der Waals
what are hydrogen bonds?
combination of a positive hydrogen atom and electronegative atom (ex: oxygen, nitrogen, sulfur)
Weaker than a covalent bond alone, but multiple hydrogen bonds together can build strength (3rd strongest)
ANY molecule with a hydrogen atom directly attached to a oxygen or nitrogen atom is capable of hydrogen bonding
Has higher boiling points, and more heat is necessary to separate them (it’s stickier)
Critical functions: holds the double helix together, helps polypeptides bond, helps enzymes bind, antibodies bind, transcription factors bind to each other and to DNA
what are ionic bonds?
bonding between metal and nonmetal
Transfer a electron from a metal onto a nonmetal (they should have opposite charges)
Ex: sodium(+) and chloride(-) together to form NaCl salt
Stronger than hydrogen, weaker than covalent bonds
*** MOST EFFECTIVE in attracting drug molecules to a receptor site
what are van der waals bonds?
an attract at moderate distance and repel in close range, bigger atom = bigger force
Most common bond between atoms
Weaker than the other types of bonds
Operate only in close proximity
Sometimes can participate in drug reception
what are redox reactions?
(combination of oxidation and reduction): reactions that transfer electrons
Reactions are a matched set, with only one, it’s called a half-reaction
Oxidation: loss of electrons
Reduction: gain of electrons
All metal atoms can be oxidized (lose electrons), which forms a cation (positively charged ion). The electrons released are then reduced onto a non-metal (which is then an anion)
what is oxidative stress
disturbance/imbalance between the production of reactive oxygen species (ROS)
ROS: free radicals and peroxides
Disturbances in the redox environment results in too much ROS —> can damage cell components like proteins, lipids, and DNA
Antioxidants can combat excess ROS
Oxidative stress and inflammation go hand in hand, resulting in: Aging, neurodegeneration, and diseases (diabetes, cancers, atherosclerosis, Parkinson’s, and Alzheimer’s)
Severe oxidative stress results in cell death (necrosis)
Moderate oxidative stress results in apoptosis (cell “popping” and dying)
ROS can be beneficial: kills pathogens and helps cells signal
Overproduction of ROS causes cell death, so we use antioxidants to prevent this (through natural body processes or nutrition)
what is inflammation?
part of the immune response of vascular tissues to stimuli such as: pathogens, physical, and chemical trauma
It is a necessary response that allows us to destroy invaders and repair itself (wound healing)
In some disorders, the immune system can’t repair itself and it can result in a chronic inflammatory disease
what are antioxidants?
Glutathione is an antioxidant produced naturally and protects cells from free radicals. Found in plants, animals, fungi, and bacteria. Important protector in aud/vestib system
what is chronic inflammation?
continued active inflammation and tissue destruction
Is a predisposition to cancers and aging diseases (ex: diabetes, cardiovascular, and autoimmune diseases)
what are enzymes?
speed up chemical reactions in cells (most are proteins)
In an enzymes reaction: molecules at the beginning are substrates (ex: lactose is a substrate), then the enzyme unites with one of them and changes it to a product (ex: changes it to lactase)
The enzyme determines which metabolic process will occur in the reaction
All enzymes end in “-ASE”
what is an enzyme-substrate complex?
if the shapers don’t match, a react might not occur… unless the enzyme changes it shape to accommodate the substrate cell
Enzyme activity: can be affected by other molecules (inhibitors and activators). Also affected by chemical environment, substrate concentration, and temperature. Some are used commercially:
Laundry detergent, meat tenderizers, antibiotic synthesis, etc.
what are receptors?
a protein molecule in the cell surface that fosters communication on behalf of the cell and allows extracellular molecules (ligands) in and out of the cell
what are hormones?
a chemical substance that elicits physiological activity and sends chemical messages from one cell to another.
Only a small amount of a hormone is required to elicit change in the cell metabolism
All multicellular organisms produces hormones
what are neurotransmitters?
a chemical messenger that carries, boosts, and modulates signals from the neurons and other cells
Affected by disease and drugs
what are the types of neurotransmitters?
Excitatory- increase likelihood that a neuron will fire an AP (epinephrine (adrenaline for fight or flight) and norepinephrine)
Inhibitory- decrease likelihood of a neuron firing an AP (GABA and serotonin)
Some NT’s are both excitatory and inhibitory, and depending on which receptor they bind to, can do either (ex: acetylcholine and dopamine)
