Pharmaceutical Chemistry

Question 1

Drugs

Answer 1

Substances that alter the biochemical processes in the body

Question 2

Medicines

Answer 2

Drugs that have beneficial effects. Usually contains the drug plus other ingredients such as fillers to add bulk or sweeteners to improve the taste.

Question 3

How do drugs generally work?

Answer 3

By binding to specific protein molecules. These protein molecules can be found on the surface of a cell (receptor) or can be specific enzyme molecules within a cell.

Question 4

Agonist drug

Answer 4

Mimics the natural compound and binds to the receptor molecules to produce a response similar to the natural active compound.

Question 5

Antagonist drug

Answer 5

Prevents the natural compound from binding to the receptor, and so blocks the natural response from occurring

Question 6

Enzyme inhibitors

Answer 6

Many drugs that act on enzymes are classified as enzyme inhibitors and act by binding to the active site of the enzyme and blocking the reaction normally catalysed there.

Question 7

Why is the overall shape and size of the drug important>

Answer 7

So that it can interact with a receptor binding site or to the active site of an enzyme. The types of interactions formed can include Van der Waals and/or ionic bonds.

Question 8

The structural fragment of a drug molecule.

Answer 8

Allows the drug to form interactions with a receptor binding site or to an enzyme active site normally consists of different functional groups correctly orientated with respect to each other.

Question 9

How can we find the structural fragment that is involved in the drug action?

Answer 9

By comparing the structures of drugs that have similar effects on the body.