Week 3 - Drug Design & Autonomic Pharmacology Review Questions

Question 1

Draw a schematic diagram of the autonomic nervous system

Answer 1

ANS -> PARA/SYMP
PARA -> Rest&Digest -> ACh
SYMP -> Fight&Flight -> Ad/NA
SYMP -> Somatic -> NMJ (ACh)

Question 2

List the major neurotransmitters at the different functional synapses in the
sympathetic and parasympathetic pathways.

Answer 2

dunno

Question 3

Draw a diagram illustrating synaptic transmission, and indicate the potential targets
for drug action.

Answer 3

dunno

Question 4

What is the difference between “depolarising” and “non-depolarising” neuromuscular
junction blockers?

Answer 4

Depolarising

• Competitive “muscle type”
• Nicotinic receptor
• Antagonist

Non-depolarising

• Nicotinic receptor
• Agonist (Long duration acting)

Question 5

List the peripheral effects of activation of the different classes of adrenoceptor.

Answer 5

A1	Vasoconstriction
A2	Vascular tone
B3	Stimulate thermogenesis
         Lipolysis
B1	Increase force of contraction and  _         heart rate
B2	Vasodilation
        Bronchodilation

Question 6

Give an example of a peptide neurotransmitter, and discuss its role in health and disease.

Answer 6

Angiotensin
o Important mediator of vasoconstriction and kidney function
o Acts via AT1 and AT2 receptors

Question 7

What are the different subtypes of GABA receptor?

Answer 7

GABA-A

GABA-B

Question 8

What are GABA-A’s effector

mechanisms and physiological functions?

Answer 8

o Ligand-gated chloride channel receptor
o Reduce membrane excitability
o Benzodiazapines are anxiolytics
o Barbiturates are sedatives

Question 9

What are GABA-B’s effector

mechanisms and physiological functions?

Answer 9

o G-Protein coupled receptor
o Inhibit cAMP production
o Inhibit Ca channel opening and K conductance
o Modifies spinal reflex motor pathways