pharmacodynamics

Question 1

what is a drug?

Answer 1

molecules that interact with a biological system to produce a biological response
-most are small molecules and are not endogenous (produced in the body)

Question 2

what happens to concentration after administration of a drug?

Answer 2

There is an accumulation phase which reaches a maximum concentration and then enters an elimination phase

Question 3

What is a therapeutic window?

Answer 3

The range of concentration that that the drug can be taken without causing any side effects

Question 4

what is a drug target usually?

Answer 4

A biomacromolecule (receptor, enzyme, ion channel)

Question 5

What is an example of an enzyme drug target?

Answer 5

Cyclo-oxygenase (COX)

Question 6

What are competitive inhibitors of the COX enzyme, give an example and how it works

Answer 6

NSAIDS eg. flubriprofen
- blocks prostaglandin synthesis and reduces inflammatory response (must form stronger bonds than substrate to be effective)

Question 7

What is the substrate and product of the COX enzyme ?

Answer 7

Substrate - arachidonic acid
Product - prostaglandins H2

Question 8

What are prostaglandins important for?

Answer 8

Protecting the mucosal layer in the stomach

Question 9

What is an example of a receptor drug target and how it works

Answer 9

B2- adrenoreceptors
Initiated by adrenaline and noradrenaline which dilates the airways eg. Salbutamol (mimics effect of natural ligand and induces the same response more effectively )

Question 10

How do drugs bind to targets?

Answer 10

type of interaction - Hydrogen bonds, van der waals, ionic/electrostatic ( depending on functional groups in the drug)

Question 11

what are physiochemical properties dictated by?

Answer 11

Functional groups present eg . water solubility

Question 12

What are the functional group interactions of the 20 amino acids?

Answer 12

• Non-polar (VDW)
  -Aromatic (VDW)
• Polar (hydrogen bonds )
• Positively charged side groups (long range ionic)
• negatively charged side groups (long range ionic)

Question 13

What are the functional group interactions of the 20 amino acids?

Answer 13

• Non-polar (VDW)
  -Aromatic (VDW)
• Polar (hydrogen bonds )
• Positively charged side groups (long range ionic)
• negatively charged side groups (long range ionic)

Question 14

what is pharmacodynamics?

Answer 14

What the drug does to the body
- therapeutic effect
- how it exerts its effect
- how it interacts with target