Random exam questions 11/12

Question 1

A drug that binds to a different site to the agonist and which reduces the maximal response produced by an agonist is termed a

Answer 1

non-competitive antagonist

Question 2

Pharmacokinetics is the study of the

Answer 2

absorption and metabolism of drugs

Question 3

The drug Princolol has a pD2 of 12, while Smallicin has a pD2 of 9, what does this tell you?

Answer 3

Princolol is 1000-fold more potent than Smallicin

Question 4

Comparing two agonist drugs which act at the same receptor, the drug with the larger EC50 value is

Answer 4

less potent

Question 5

The major aim of lipid lowering drugs is to reduce the plasma concentration of this class of lipids:

Answer 5

LDLs

Question 6

Aspirin, at low doses, exerts its primary therapeutic action through inhibition of the enzyme

Answer 6

cyclo-oxygenase 1

Question 7

A protein (Protein X) is identified that possesses GTPase activity. It is able to interact directly with muscarinic acetylcholine receptors. Protein X will have the subunit structure…

Answer 7

αβγ

Question 8

Neurones projecting from the spinal cord or brain stem to autonomic ganglia usually release:

Answer 8

Acetylcholine

Question 9

Organic nitrates such as glyceryl trinitrate are useful in the treatment of:

Answer 9

angina pectoris

It acts by dilating capacitance vessels in the periphery, reducing after- and pre-load.

Question 10

Spironolactone is often co-prescribed with loop diuretics. The purpose of the spironolactone is to avoid:

Answer 10

hypokalaemia

Question 11

Theophylline is a…

Answer 11

an adenosine A1 receptor antagonist

Question 12

Diltiazem and nicardipine are both…

Answer 12

inhibitors of ion-flux through L-type calcium channels

Question 13

the principal receptor type that causes depolarisation of postgangiolonic parasympathetic neurones during “rest and digest” responses is

Answer 13

Nicotinic acetylcholine receptors

Question 14

The anti-asthmatic effect of beclometasone is due to actions at:

Answer 14

intracellular hormone receptors

Question 15

Enalapril is an inhibitor of, or antagonist at:

Answer 15

angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE)

Question 16

Verapamil can be used for the treatment of cardiac dysrhythmias whereas nifedipine cannot be. This difference is because

Answer 16

verapamil binds selectively to active calcium channels but nifedipine does not

Question 17

Unwanted effects of nicotinic acid include:

Answer 17

impaired glucose tolerance

Question 18

Statement X: Glyceryl trinitrate is a pro-drug

Statement Y: Glyceryl trinitrate must be metabolized by the liver before it can act on the vascular system.

Answer 18

Statement X is true; statement Y is false

Question 19

Statement X: Epoprostenol causes headache due to its vasodilator actions
Statement Y: Epoprostenol cannot be used for long-term prevention of thrombosis

Answer 19

Statement X is true; statement Y is true AND X is NOT the reason for Y

Question 20

Statement X: Ezetimibe is better-tolerated by patients than colestyramine
Statement Y: Ezetimibe blocks uptake of bile acids but not triglycerides

Answer 20

Statement X is true; statement Y is false

Question 21

Statement X: thiazide diuretics cause hypokalaemia

Statement Y: patients taking digoxin can experience adverse effects if they also take thiazide diuretics.

Answer 21

Statement X is true; statement Y is true AND X IS the reason for Y

Question 22

Name a drug produced by plants (include name of plant) used to treat congestive heart failure

Answer 22

Digoxin

foxglove

Question 23

True or false, digoxin has a narrow therapeutic window?

Answer 23

true

Question 24

Digoxin is an inhibitor of what?

Answer 24

the sodium/potassium ATPase

Question 25

A side effect of digoxin is

Answer 25

nausea and vomiting

Question 26

Name a naturally occurring toxin that matches each of the descriptions below and state the organism from which it is derived:
(0.5 marks for toxin and 0.5 marks for the organism)

a) an enzyme that cleaves proteins involved in neurotransmitter release
b) a compact peptide toxin that blocks muscle nicotinic acetylcholine receptors. This toxin is NOT found in snakes.
c) a potent analgesic alkaloid that targets neuronal nicotinic receptors. This toxin is NOT found in plants.

Answer 26

a) botulinum toxin (botox also ok) (Clostridium botulinum); b) alpha conotoxin M1 (just alpha conotoxin acceptable, conotoxin is not), Conus magus (cone snail acceptable, other species have alpha conotoxins as well as C magus); c) epibatidine (Epipedobates tricolor – phantasmal frog)