Pharmacology Flashcards
Define pharmacology
The study of the effects of drugs
Define pharmokinetics
How the body affects the drug
What does MADE stand for (pharmokinetics)
M= metabolism
A= absorption
D= distribution
E= excretion
Define pharmacodynamics
How the drug affects the body
What is a receptor?
A component of a cell that interacts with a specific ligand and initiates a change of biochemical events leading to the ligands observed effects
What are the 2 types of ligands?
Exogenous: eg drugs
Endogenous: eg hormones and neurotransmitters
What are 3 chemical types that interact with receptors?
Neurotransmitters
Autoacids
Hormones
What are 2 examples of a neurotransmitter?
Acetylcholine
Serotonin
What are 2 examples of an autoacid?
Local hormones:
Cytokines
Histamine
What are 2 examples of a hormone?
Testosterone
Hydrocortisone
What are 4 types of receptors?
Ligand gated ion channels
G coupled protein receptors (GPCRs)
Kinase linked receptors
Cytosolic/ nuclear receptors
What is an example of a ligand gated ion channel?
Nicotinic ACh receptor
What are ligand gated ion channels used for?
ACh binding opens pore and allows ions to move into cell and change the cells electric charge distribution
Give an example of a GPCR
Beta adrenoreceptors
What are the largest and most diverse group of membrane receptors in eukaryotes?
GPCRs
What is the function of GPCRs?
On ligand binding, GPCRs catalyse the exchange of GDP to GTP
What are kinases?
Enzymes that catalyze the transfer of phosphate groups between proteins - process is known as phosphorylation
Describe the mechanism of kinase linked receptor activation
Ligand binding causes conformational change
Phosphorylation
Signal transduction
What type of hormones use cytosolic/nuclear receptors?
Steroid hormones
How do nuclear receptors work?
Modify gene transcription
How do zinc fingers aid nuclear receptors?
Recognise discrete regions of DNA
Give 2 examples of a chemical imbalance leading to pathology
Allergy- inc. histamine
Parkinson’s- dec. dopamine
Give 2 examples of receptor imbalance leading to pathology
Myasthenia gravis- loss of nicotinic ACh receptors
Mastocytosis- increased C-kit receptors
What is EC50?
Concentration that gives half the maximal response