Deck 12: Genes, Medicines and Drugs

Question 1

Aspirin-like compounds were originally obtained from the bark of which tree?

A) cinnamon
B) oak
C) willow
D) maple
E) elm

Answer 1

C

Question 2

The term natural products is used to describe _________ .

A) materials found in their natural state
B) compounds isolated from natural sources
C) compounds that can be easily derived from naturally occurring materials
D) materials that are prepared in an organic, pesticide-free way
E) None of the above

Answer 2

B

Question 3

The term semisynthetic is used to describe _________ .

A) materials found in their natural state
B) compounds isolated from natural sources
C) compounds that can be easily derived from naturally occurring materials
D) materials that are prepared in an organic, pesticide-free way
E) None of the above

Answer 3

C

Question 4

Antipyretic compounds like Aspirin are valued for _______ .

A) reducing fevers
B) reversing DNA damage
C) lowering blood pressure
D) preventing blood-clotting
E) All of the above

Question 5

What does an analgesic do?

A) acts as a local anesthetic
B) reduces swelling
C) lowers blood pressure
D) reduces nausea
E) None of the above

Question 6

Which of the follow statements regarding aspirin is not true?

A) Aspirin is the most widely used of all drugs.
B) Aspirin was created by a chemist to help his father.
C) You can isolate aspirin from certain trees.
D) You can create aspirin from two simple ingredients.
E) All of the above are true

Question 7

The name 'aspirin' is meant to represent acetylation of an older name for _______ .

A) salicylic acid
B) acetic acid
C) acetic anhydride
D) hippocratic acid
E) None of the above

Question 8

How is common aspirin buffered?

A) It is mixed with acetic anhydride.
B) It is mixed with a strong acid.
C) It is mixed with basic salts.
D) It is mixed with acetic acid.
E) None of the above

Question 9

What is the purpose of buffering aspirin?

A) To speed up the breakdown of the aspirin tablet in the stomach.
B) To prevent stomach irritation.
C) To prevent the degradation of aspirin in the stomach.
D) To speed up the hydrolysis of the aspirin before it enters bloodstream.
E) None of the above

Question 10

Aspirin and other NSAIDs produce the effects that they do by preventing ______ .

A) the formation of acetate
B) the release of hydrochloric acid
C) the synthesis of prostaglandins
D) the formation of steroids
E) None of the above

Question 11

Which of the following statements is true regarding prostaglandins?

A) Prostaglandins are not found in the female body.
B) Prostaglandins serve a limited function in the body by acting as pain signaling molecules.
C) Prostaglandins are only created in the prostate gland.
D) Prostaglandins occur in virtually every tissue in the human body.
E) None of the above.

Question 12

The compounds we call drugs generally act in the body by _______ .

A) changing the function of certain enzymes that lead to an effect in the body
B) speed up the decomposition of biological waste products
C) slow down the production of certain biological molecules
D) attack specific cells and label them for destruction.
E) None of the above

Question 13

The old joke is that if Aspirin were released today, it wouldn't pass the FDA approval system. (Chemists have a strange sense of humor!) Which of the following is the likely reason why this might be?

A) The synthesis of Aspirin is too complex.
B) Aspirin has too many side effects.
C) It is difficult to create aspirin that is free of side products.
D) Aspirin persist in the body for many days and can cause liver damage.
E) None of the above

Question 14

Which of the following is/are a common side effect of using aspirin?

A) upset stomach
B) poor clotting
C) allergic reactions
D) All of the above
E) None of the above

Question 15

Besides structure, what is the major difference between aspirin and acetaminophen, the active ingredient in Tylenol.

A) One disrupts prostaglandin formation, the other does not.
B) Acetaminophen does not have as strong a role in preventing inflammation.
C) Acetaminophen is less toxic than aspirin.
D) One is an NSAID and the other is not.
E) None of the above

Question 16

Acetaminophen, the active ingredient of Tylenol, has the advantage over aspirin by being less irritating to the stomach and less prone to allergic reactions. What is/are the major drawback(s) to this common drug?

A) It only focus on one set of enzymes and therefore its effectiveness is more limited.
B) It is much harder to isolate from common sources and therefore more expensive.
C) It has much greater toxicity and care must be taken to prevent organ damage.
D) It disrupts platelet formation and can lead to increased risk of hemorrhaging.
E) None of the above

Question 17

Most drugs inhibit enzymes in very similar ways. The most simplistic method of inhibition is _______ .

A) the inhibitor blocks the active site
B) the inhibitor damages the enzyme
C) the inhibitor binds the substrate
D) the inhibitor changes the substrate
E) None of the above

Question 18

What does histamine do in the body?

A) blocks the production of prostaglandins
B) reacts with dopamine to increase the blood flow to capillaries
C) binds to allergens and helps remove them from the body
D) initiates inflammation in response to allergens
E) None of the above

Question 19

Aspirin and Antihistamines, while totally different in terms of mode of action and biological target, still share one similarity. Which of the following best highlights that similarity?

A) Both act on prostaglandin synthesis
B) Both block histamines
C) Both reduce swelling by blocking the production of signaling molecules
D) Both increase blood flow to tissue to aid in the removal of waste products
E) All of the above.

Question 20

Decongestants are often used to help minimize the symptoms caused by allergens. Which of the following best describes what a decongestant does?

A) immunizes against cold and flu pathogens
B) removes mucus from nasal cavities
C) reduces swelling by blocking the production of signaling molecules
D) decreases blood flow to the nasal tissue
E) None of the above.

Question 21

Estimate the number of prescriptions written each year to treat illness or improve health.

A) 316 million
B) 4 billion
C) 320 billion
D) 675 billion
E) None of the above.

Question 22

Estimate the number of dollars that represents the annual sale of prescriptions written each year to treat illness or improve health.

A) 316 million
B) 4 billion
C) 320 billion
D) 675 billion
E) None of the above.

Question 23

In 2008 there was a change in the way the United States Food and Drug Administration handled pharmaceuticals. What was the practical effect of this change?

A) decreased the amount of testing required
B) allows advertising directly to consumers via television
C) increased the approval rate for biological target compounds
D) drug candidates could be screened more quickly
E) None of the above.

Question 24

What is the estimated number of drug-candidates that must be screened before a viable FDA approved drug is released?

A) 200 candidates for every 1 approved drug
B) 500 candidates for every 1 approved drug
C) 1000 candidates for every 1 approved drug
D) 10000 candidates for every 1 approved drug
E) 20000 candidates for every 1 approved drug

Question 25

What is the number of years typically required for drug-candidates to be screened through the FDA approval process?

A) 2 years
B) 5 years
C) 7 years
D) 10 years
E) 15 years

Question 26

The first step in rational drug design starts with ___________.

A) finding molecules that work biologically
B) finding enzymes, proteins, or pathways related to diseases
C) screening compounds for biological activity
D) testing compounds on volunteers for pharmacological effects
E) None of the above.

Question 27

Which of the following represents a way that drugs can be discovered?

A) serendipity
B) screening thousands of possible candidates for biological activity
C) chemical modification of existing drugs
D) All of the above.
E)Both b and c.

Question 28

Robotics is not often considered within the same topics as chemistry, but robotics is very helpful in drug discovery and can be applied to which of the following drug development techniques?

A) serendipity
B) screening thousands of possible candidates for biological activity
C) chemical modification of existing drugs
D) All of the above.
E) Both b and c.

Question 29

What is the estimated cost of bringing a drug from the candidate stage through the FDA approval process?

A) 10 million dollars
B) 100 million dollars
C) 500 million dollars
D) 1 billion dollars
E) 50 billion dollars

Question 30

What aspect of drug discovery and testing is the most expensive?

A) drug discovery
B) preclinical trials
C) clinical trials
D) FDA review
E) manufacturing

Question 31

The United States Food and Drug Administration has several levels of clinical trials that involve human subject testing. How many phases of testing are typical in a clinical trial?

A) 1 phase
B) 2 phases
C) 3 phases
D) 4 phases
E) 5 phases

Question 32

A placebo is _____________.

A) a compound that has no biological effect
B) a compound that has a psychological effect, but not a biological one
C) a compound that is more effective than a drug candidate
D) a drug that is less effective and another compound
E) None of the above

Question 33

The placebo effect is a documented psychological effect that makes patients _________.

A) show signs of improvement, even though there is no actual pharmacological effect
B) show signs of degradation, even though there is no actual pharmacological effect
C) believe that they are experiencing an increase in blood pressure
D) believe that they have no improvement despite an increase in dosage
E) None of the above

Question 34

A double blind study is one in which _________.

A) only the patient knows if they are in the test or control group
B) only the investigator knows if the patient is in the test or control group
C) both the investigator and the patient know if they are in the test or control group
D) neither the investigator nor the patient know if they are in the test or control group
E) None of the above

Question 35

The control group is the portion of the clinical trial that _________.

A) determines whether or not a placebo is effective
B) determines whether or not a drug candidate is effective
C) controls the dosage of the drug the patients receive
D) controls which patients get the placebo
E) None of the above

Question 36

Which of the following best describes the reason for a double-blind study?

A) to prevent patients from influencing the outcome of the trial
B) to prevent doctors from influencing the outcome of the trial
C) to prevent the drug manufacturers from influencing the outcome
D) both a and b
E) None of the above

Question 37

Which of the following best describes the procedure of a double-blind study?

A) the test group receives the placebo and the control group receives the actual drug
B) the control group receives the placebo and the test group receives the actual drug
C) a third party controls gives out the placebo or the drug to each member of the trial
D) both b and c
E) None of the above

Question 38

Typically, how long does a drug companies patent, which allows only that company the right to make and sell a drug, last?

A) 5 years
B) 10 years
C) 15 years
D) 20 years
E) 100 years

Question 39

What is the difference between a generic drug and the brand-name counterpart?

A) The generic drugs are not as potent as the brand-name.
B) The generic drugs can be less pure than the brand-name.
C) The generic drugs cannot be sold under a different name.
D) The brand-name drug has had more testing than the generic version.
E) There is no difference except price.

Question 40

What is the role of an antibiotic?

A) To prevent the growth of bacteria.
B) To prevent the spread of viruses.
C) To prevent the growth of fungi.
D) Both a and b
E) None of the above.

Question 41

From what were the earliest antibiotics isolated?

A) aquatic animals
B) lichen
C) tree bark
D) molds and fungi
E) None of the above.

Question 42

In the early 1900's, the leading cause of death in the United States was ________.

A) infectious disease
B) accidents
C) child-birth
D) AIDS
E) None of the above.

Question 43

Incorrect usage and overuse of antibiotics has led to ________.

A) new infectious disease
B) antibiotic resistance in bacteria
C) increased viral infection
D) prophylactic immunity
E) None of the above.

Question 44

One behavior that is currently being examined in terms of development of antibiotic resistant bacteria is prophylactic use of antibiotics on animals. Which of the following best describes this practice?

A) treating ill farm animals with antibiotics
B) testing new antibiotics on animals
C) regular use of antibiotics to prevent animals from becoming sick
D) utilizing bacteria from animals as rational drug design targets
E) None of the above.

Question 45

Many drugs are currently used to treat mental issues. What is the most common class of compounds used in tranquilizers, which minimize anxiety?

A) oxycillins
B) benzodiazepines
C) phenylephrines
D) NSAIDs
E) None of the above.

Question 46

A relatively new class of compounds was introduced in the late 1980's to treat depression (the antidepressants). What class of compounds are these materials also known as?

A) OTCs
B) CASTs
C) SSRIs
D) NSAIDs
E) None of the above.

Question 47

Steroids represent one of the largest drug classes and all share one familiar feature that is ________.

A) the production of increased muscle mass
B) alteration in the sexual development
C) deviation in the metabolism and water retention
D) a limiting of inflammation
E) a similarity in structure

Question 48

The most common steroidal medications are similar to cortisol, a hormone produced by the body, and are utilized ________ .

A) to reduce inflammation
B) to change fertility
C) to increase muscle production
D) to improve performance
E) None of the above.

Question 49

The common term 'steroid abuse' is usually used to describe which class of steroidal drugs?

A) corticosteroids
B) progestins
C) diosgenins
D) anabolic steroids
E) None of the above.

Question 50

Most modern birth control pills contain steroids that mimic the behavior of _______ .

A) cholesterol
B) testosterone
C) progesterone
D) cortisol
E) None of the above.

Question 51

The chemical name for what we traditionally call alcohol is _______ .

A) methyl alcohol
B) ethyl alcohol
C) isopropyl alcohol
D) both a and b
E) None of the above.

Question 52

Ethanol is commonly produced from _________ .

A) degradation of corn
B) decomposition of plastics
C) fermentation of sugars with yeast
D) extraction from fruit and water solutions
E) None of the above.

Question 53

The fermentation process can be used to produce alcoholic beverages from _______ .

A) grapes
B) sugar
C) grains
D) potatoes
E) All of the above

Question 54

The alcohol content in beer is approximately ________ .

A) 2%
B) 5 %
C) 12 %
D) 20 %
E) 40 %

Question 55

The alcohol content in wine is approximately ________ .

A) 2%
B) 5 %
C) 12 %
D) 20 %
E) 40 %

Question 56

Which of the following statements is true regarding the standard drink?

A) The standard drink is based upon the weight of the drinker.
B) The larger the proof, the larger the standard drink size.
C) The volume of the standard drink is 12 oz.
D) The standard drink is much smaller for liquor than beer.
E) None of the above.

Question 57

Alcohol has the effects that it does due to its ability to _______ .

A) cause depression
B) slow nerve signals
C) increase blood flow
D) decrease oxygen uptake
E) None of the above.

Question 58

Which of the following is the most widely consumed recreational drug in the United States?

A) alcohol
B) caffeine
C) nicotine
D) marijuana
E) None of the above.

Question 59

The body metabolizes alcohol by a series of oxidation reactions. The build up of intermediate products is implicated in the unpleasant side effects of drinking. What is this intermediate?

A) methyl alcohol
B) acetic acid
C) acetate
D) acetaldehyde
E) None of the above.

Question 60

The principle active ingredient(s) in marijuana is/are ___________ .

A) tetrahydrocannabinol
B) methyl ethyl ether
C) opiates
D) mescaline
E) None of the above.

Question 61

The alkaloids derive their name from which functional group?

A) alcohols
B) carboxylates
C) amines
D) aldehydes
E) None of the above.

Question 62

Caffeine dosage in coffee and drinks is approximately _________ .

A) 10 mg
B) 50 mg
C) 100 mg
D) 500 mg
E) 10000 mg

Question 63

What is the expected lethal dose of caffeine?

A) 10 mg
B) 50 mg
C) 100 mg
D) 500 mg
E) 10000 mg

Question 64

What is the expected lethal dose of nicotine?

A) 10 mg
B) 50 mg
C) 100 mg
D) 500 mg
E) 10000 mg

Question 65

One of the longest studied class of alkaloids is the opiates. Which of the following are opiates?

A) heroin
B) codeine
C) morphine
D) oxycodone
E) All of the above

Question 66

What is one of the key drawbacks to the opiates?

A) pain relief only lasts a short time
B) pain relief only happens when applied topically
C) the opiates must be administered intravenously
D) the opiates are extremely addictive
E) All of the above

Question 67

Newer, synthetic opiates like fentanyl and methadone are able to target the same receptors in the brain as the opioids or semisynthetic opioids yet __________ .

A) are not addictive
B) are less powerful
C) lack the core, morphine-like structure
D) are able to be administered without prescription
E) None of the above.

Question 68

Many of the non-opiate alkaloids, such as cocaine, have less of a physical addiction profile than heroin or morphine. Which of the following statements describes the addiction pattern in the case of the alkaloid stimulants like cocaine?

A) While more limited in physical addiction, they produce strong psychological addiction.
B) While more limited in physical addiction, the physical addiction can still be debilitating.
C) The physical and psychological addiction profiles are both minor for this class of compound.
D) The alkaloid stimulants can be used to treat opiate addiction.
E) None of the above

Question 69

Crystalline cocaine can be converted into 'crack' cocaine by heating it with baking soda. What type of chemical transformation is taking place in this case?

A) redox reactions
B) acid-base reaction
C) phase change
D) semi-synthetic transformation
E) None of the above

Question 70

What is the main motivation for converting crystalline cocaine into 'crack' cocaine by heating it with baking soda.

A) the new compound is readily vaporized and inhalable
B) eliminates irritation of acidic groups
C) makes the material more water soluble
D) increases the length of the narcotic effect
E) None of the above

Question 71

Which of the following are hallucinogens?

A) Adderall
B) MDMA
C) mescaline
D) methamphetamine
E) All of the above

Question 72

Except during cell division, the majority of the genetic material of a cell is ________.

A) bound tightly together in the nucleus
B) diffusely stored in the cytoplasm
C) bound tightly together in the nucleus
D) diffusely stored in the nucleus
E) All of the above

Question 73

Cellular reproduction that produces identical cells is called ________.

A) metaphase
B) meiosis
C) mitosis
D) duplication
E) All of the above

Question 74

A quick, overall description of mitosis would be ________.

A) duplication and halving of the chromosomes into new cells
B) duplication and separation of the chromosomes into new cells
C) halving of the chromosomes into new cells
D) separation of the chromosomes into new cells
E) None of the above

Question 75

Which of the following is not true about cellular DNA in an organism?

A) Most cells in an organism contain identical DNA
B) DNA has three general parts, two of which are identical for every base-pair
C) DNA is a polymer
D) The nucleotides of DNA are random
E) None of the above

Question 76

The replication of DNA is possible, in part, because of what structural feature?

A) weak covalent bonding
B) complementary hydrogen bonding
C) deoxygenation
D) salt-bridges
E) None of the above

Question 77

Another key genetic material is RNA which shares many similarities to DNA except that RNA consists of ___________ .

A) a completely different set of nitrogenous bases
B) a different sugar
C) a slightly different set of nitrogenous bases
D) both b and c
E) None of the above

Question 78

Which of the following does not describe RNA?

A) It can move between the nucleus and the cytoplasm
B) It is often longer than DNA strands
C) It is similar in structure to that of DNA but is usually single strands rather than double.
D) both b and c
E) None of the above

Question 79

Unlike DNA, which has one primary form, RNA has several different forms. What is the role of transfer RNA ?

A) It moves between the nucleus and the cytoplasm carrying genetic information for protein synthesis.
B) It sends chemical signals between cells via surface proteins.
C) It binds other RNA molecules while replicating DNA.
D) It carries amino acids to be covalently bonded together to make proteins.
E) None of the above

Question 80

Unlike DNA, which has one primary for, RNA has several different forms. What is the role of messenger RNA ?

A) It binds to DNA and signals growth of new chromosomes.
B) It sends chemical signals between cells via surface proteins.
C) It binds other RNA molecules while replicating DNA .
D) It carries amino acids to be covalently bonded together to make proteins.
E) None of the above