BIMM118 – Midterm ’06
1) A competitive antagonist
a) binds to the same site on the receptor as the natural ligand
b) binds the receptor irreversibly
c) elicits a response from the receptor
d) shifts the dose-response curve to the right
e) shifts the dose-response curve to the right AND down
(5 pts each)
2) Which pharmacokinetic process is known as “First Pass Elimination”?
Drugs taken up in the intestine first reach the liver via the hepatic vein, and are therefore
subject to hepatic metabolism prior to entering the general circulation.
(10 pts)
3) Which of the following modifications would be expected to increase lipid
solubility of a drug:
a) glucoronidation
b) hydroxylation
c) sulfation
d) halogenation
e) alkylation
f) dealkylation
(5 pts each)
4) Provide an example of a food-drug interaction! Explain the underlying mechanism!
*) Grapefruit juice contains a CYP3A4 inhibitor, thereby preventing oxidative metabolism of
drugs such as acetaminophen, codeine, warfarin, erythromycin etc.
*) MAO inhibitors (anti-depressant) also prevent the metabolism of tyramine, an amino acid
found in red wine and ripe cheeses. If not degraded by MAO, tyramine competes with
(nor)epinephrine for re-uptake and storage in presynaptic vesicles, thereby promoting
sympathetic output.
(10 pts)
5) When a loading dose is administered, the initial drug concentration is dependent on
which of the following:
a) elimination rate constant
b) drug half-life
c) volume of distribution
d) clearance
e) metabolism
f) amount of drug administered
(5 pts each)
6) Which of the following drugs would be useful in treating malathione poisoning:
a) Dobutamine
b) Epinephrine
c) Atropine
d) Propranolol
e) Pancuronium
(5 pts each)
7) Explain the underlying mechanism for the stimulating effects of cocaine!
