PL7 - Enzyme Inhibitors as Medicines

Question 1

What is molecular recognition?

Answer 1

The ways in which molecules interact in terms of intermolecular and other non-covalent bonds

Question 2

What is a pharmacophore?

Answer 2

Part of the molecule of a medicine that gives the medicine (and others like it) its particular pharacological effect

Question 3

What are the three main properties of a pharmacophore?

Answer 3

Can be modified by changing functional groups attached to them

Interact with receptor sites by forming weak interactions/bonds

Fit into certain receptor sites and form the correct weak bonds

Question 4

Why might the functional groups attached to a pharmacophore be modified?

Answer 4

To make the medicine more effective or reduce side effects

Question 5

What types of weak interactions can pharamcophores form with receptor sites?

Answer 5

H-bonding, metal coordinaton, pd-pd bonds, ionic bonds

Question 6

What must a receptor site have in order for a pharmacophore to be able to fit into it?

Answer 6

The correct size, shape, and orientation