Drug Targets and Mechanisms of Action: Master the Fundamentals

Question 1

In clinical trials with human participants, which ethical principle is paramount?

Accepted Answer

Respecting participants' autonomy and right to informed consent

Answer

Protecting the privacy and confidentiality of participants' data

Answer

Ensuring diversity in the participant population

Answer

Preventing conflicts of interest among researchers

Question 2

Which type of G protein-coupled receptor is characterized by a transmembrane domain with seven helical segments?

Accepted Answer

Serpentine receptor

Answer

Ionotropic receptor

Answer

Tyrosine kinase receptor

Answer

Nuclear receptor

Question 3

Allosteric modulators exert their effects by:

Accepted Answer

Binding to a specific site on the target, distinct from the orthosteric binding site, and altering its activity

Answer

Increasing the affinity of the target for its ligand

Answer

Inhibiting the binding of the target to its ligand

Answer

Activating the target directly

Question 4

Covalent drug-target interactions involve:

Accepted Answer

The formation of a covalent bond between the drug and the target molecule

Answer

The non-covalent binding of the drug to the target molecule

Answer

The allosteric modulation of the target molecule

Answer

The inhibition of the target molecule's activity

Question 5

The therapeutic window refers to:

Accepted Answer

The range of drug concentrations that achieve the desired therapeutic effect without causing adverse reactions

Answer

The time period during which a drug remains effective

Answer

The maximum dose of a drug that can be safely administered

Answer

The minimum dose of a drug that produces a therapeutic effect

Question 6

Competitive antagonists achieve their inhibitory effect by:

Accepted Answer

Binding to the same receptor site as the agonist, preventing agonist binding

Answer

Binding to a different receptor site than the agonist, altering receptor conformation

Answer

Increasing the production of endogenous agonists

Answer

Decreasing the production of endogenous agonists

Question 7

Which of the following is an example of a G protein-coupled receptor (GPCR)?

Accepted Answer

β2-adrenergic receptor

Answer

Voltage-gated calcium channel

Answer

Nicotinic acetylcholine receptor

Answer

Tyrosine kinase

Question 8

Which of the following is an example of a non-competitive antagonist?

Accepted Answer

Tetrodotoxin

Answer

Verapamil

Answer

Propranolol

Answer

Atenolol

Question 9

Which of the following is a key consideration when designing new drugs?

Accepted Answer

Selectivity for the desired target to minimize side effects

Answer

Ease of administration

Answer

Low cost of production

Answer

Long shelf life

Question 10

Drug targets can be classified as which of the following?

Accepted Answer

Proteins, nucleic acids and carbohydrates

Answer

Nucleic acids, enzymes and hormones

Answer

Carbohydrates, lipids and proteins

Answer

Hormones, enzymes and receptors

Question 11

Cytochrome P450 enzymes are involved in:

Accepted Answer

Phase I metabolism of drugs, converting them into more polar and excretable forms

Answer

Phase II metabolism of drugs, conjugating them with endogenous molecules to increase their polarity

Answer

Transport of drugs across cell membranes

Answer

Activation of drugs into their therapeutic forms

Question 12

Full agonists differ from partial agonists in that:

Accepted Answer

Full agonists produce a maximal response, while partial agonists produce a submaximal response

Answer

Full agonists have a higher affinity for the receptor than partial agonists

Answer

Partial agonists are more selective than full agonists

Answer

Full agonists are more potent than partial agonists

Question 13

Transporters play a crucial role in drug disposition by:

Accepted Answer

Facilitating the movement of drugs across cell membranes

Answer

Activating drugs into their therapeutic forms

Answer

Binding to drugs and preventing them from being metabolized

Answer

Metabolizing drugs into more polar and excretable forms

Question 14

Reversible inhibitors differ from irreversible inhibitors in that:

Accepted Answer

Reversible inhibitors can dissociate from the enzyme, while irreversible inhibitors form a covalent bond with the enzyme

Answer

Reversible inhibitors are more selective than irreversible inhibitors

Answer

Irreversible inhibitors are more potent than reversible inhibitors

Answer

Reversible inhibitors have a higher affinity for the enzyme than irreversible inhibitors

Question 15

Which of the following is NOT a known type of drug target?

Accepted Answer

Organs

Answer

Ion channels

Answer

Enzymes

Answer

G-protein coupled receptors

Question 16

What is the primary mechanism of action of an antagonist?

Accepted Answer

Binding to a receptor without activating it, blocking agonist binding

Answer

Binding to an enzyme and inhibiting its activity

Answer

Binding to an ion channel and opening it

Question 17

Contrast prodrugs and metabolites. How do they differ?

Accepted Answer

A prodrug is a pharmacologically inactive compound that is converted into an active drug within the body, while a metabolite is an active or inactive compound produced from the biotransformation of a drug in the body.

Answer

A prodrug is an active compound that is converted into an inactive drug within the body, while a metabolite is an active compound produced from the biotransformation of a drug in the body.

Question 18

What is the primary purpose of administering a loading dose of a drug?

Accepted Answer

To rapidly achieve therapeutic concentrations of the drug in the body.

Answer

To prolong the duration of action of the drug.

Answer

To reduce the risk of side effects.

Question 19

Which of the following drugs primarily targets the central nervous system?

Accepted Answer

Diazepam

Answer

Ibuprofen

Answer

Atenolol

Answer

Salbutamol

Question 20

Which of the following is NOT a common molecular target for drugs?

Accepted Answer

Cell wall

Answer

Receptor

Answer

Enzyme

Answer

Ion channel

Question 21

Which of the following drugs acts as a competitive antagonist?

Accepted Answer

Propranolol

Answer

Acetylcholine

Answer

Morphine

Answer

Insulin

Question 22

Which of the following drugs is a partial agonist?

Accepted Answer

Buprenorphine

Answer

Albuterol

Answer

Dopamine

Answer

Epinephrine

Question 23

Which of the following drugs is a prodrug, meaning it requires conversion to its active form in the body?

Accepted Answer

Enalapril

Answer

Digoxin

Answer

Paracetamol

Answer

Atenolol

Question 24

Which of the following drug disposition processes is considered target-mediated, meaning it's influenced by the drug's interaction with its target?

Accepted Answer

Hepatic extraction

Answer

Active transport

Answer

Passive diffusion

Answer

Glomerular filtration