Pharmacology

Question 1

What are chemical agents (drugs)?

Answer 1

Substances that interact with a specific target within a biological system to produce a physiological effect

Question 2

What is heroin?

Answer 2

Diamorphine

Question 3

What is mechanism of heroin?

Answer 3

Acts on mu-opioid receptors, that are spread in discrete groups throughout the brain spinal cord and gut.

Question 4

What are the target regions for Heroin?

Answer 4

Peri-aqueductal grey region
Ventral tegmental area
Solitary nucleus

Question 5

What is the function of the peri-aqueductal grey region?

Answer 5

Responsible for pain organisation (Analgesia)

Question 6

What region is responsible for euphoria?

Answer 6

Ventral tegmental area, innate reward pathway

Question 7

What is the purpose of the solitary nucleus?

Answer 7

Irritant information of sensory neurones in airways

Cough suppression

Question 8

What principle do drugs abide?

Answer 8

Principle of selectivity by binding onto specific target proteins: Receptors, enzymes, transport proteins and ion channels

Question 9

What are the two main functions of drugs?

Answer 9

Enhance activation or prevent activation

Question 10

What is the function of Atorvastatin?

Answer 10

Substrate that inhibits HMG-CoA reductase, rate limiting enzyme for cholesterol synthesis

Question 11

What is the function of Amlodipine?

Answer 11

Calcium channel blocker, stops contraction ,vasoconstriction is reduced lowering blood pressure

Question 12

What receptor does Salbutamol bind to?

Answer 12

Beta-2 adrenergic receptors

Question 13

What is the mechanism of Salbutamol?

Answer 13

Binds to beta-2 adrenergic receptors (Stimulatory G protein) on bronchial smooth muscle cell, within the airways

Dilates trachea, enhance activation

Question 14

What is the function of Citalopram?

Answer 14

Used for depression, selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor

Blocks transport protein from removing serotonin from the synapse

Question 15

Which three molecules resemble stereochemical similarities?

Answer 15

Dopamine, serotonin and noradrenaline

Question 16

What are endogenous substances?

Answer 16

Delivered directly to receptors

Question 17

What is the problem with drug administration?

Answer 17

Generalised effect due to entering systemic circulation, thus has potential to influence alternative receptors

Question 18

What is a side effect?

Answer 18

Effect produced by the drug that is secondary to the intended effect
Can exert deleterious consequences are termed as adversed effect

Question 19

What are off-target effects?

Answer 19

Binds to alternative receptors and expresses secondary effect

Question 20

What is pramipexole?

Answer 20

Dopamine receptor agonist

Question 21

Why do endogenous substances have a rapid acute effect?

Answer 21

Metabolised relatively quickly

Question 22

What receptor sites can pramipexole bind to?

Answer 22

Serotonin, noradrenaline and dopamine

Question 23

What occurs during increasing dosage?

Answer 23

Results in stimulation of alternative receptors, stimulates further responses and off-target effects

Question 24

What are the safest drugs?

Answer 24

Large difference between the dose required to induce the desired effect

Dose required to induce adverse effects