BIOD 351 Pharmacology Final Exam Cumulative Practice 2026/2027
UPDATE
1. Which term describes the process of what the body does to a drug, including
absorption, distribution, metabolism, and excretion?
A. Pharmacodynamics
B. Pharmacogenetics
C. Pharmacokinetics
D. Pharmacotherapeutics
Answer: C
Rationale: Pharmacokinetics (PK) is the study of drug movement through the body
(ADME). Pharmacodynamics (PD) is what the drug does to the body.
2. Where is the primary site of drug metabolism in the human body?
A. Kidneys
B. Liver
C. Lungs
D. Small Intestine
Answer: B
Rationale: The liver is the primary organ responsible for drug metabolism, largely due to
the presence of the Cytochrome P450 enzyme system.
,3. A drug with a high therapeutic index is considered:
A. Potent but dangerous
B. Highly toxic
C. Relatively safe
D. Ineffective
Answer: C
Rationale: Therapeutic Index (TI) is the ratio of the toxic dose to the effective dose. A
higher index means there is a large margin of safety between the effective and lethal dose.
4. The ‘first-pass effect’ refers to the metabolism of a drug that occurs after oral
administration in which organ?
A. Stomach
B. Kidneys
C. Liver
D. Heart
Answer: C
Rationale: Orally administered drugs are absorbed in the GI tract and carried to the liver
via the portal vein, where they may be metabolized before reaching systemic circulation.
5. Which type of drug binds to a receptor and prevents a response from
occurring?
A. Agonist
B. Partial Agonist
C. Synergist
D. Antagonist
Answer: D
Rationale: Antagonists bind to receptors but do not activate them; instead, they block or
dampen a biological response by preventing agonists from binding.
, 6. Which neurotransmitter is primarily associated with the parasympathetic
nervous system?
A. Epinephrine
B. Norepinephrine
C. Acetylcholine
D. Dopamine
Answer: C
Rationale: Acetylcholine (ACh) is the primary neurotransmitter for the parasympathetic
nervous system at both pre- and post-ganglionic neurons.
7. Stimulation of Beta-1 receptors primarily results in:
A. Bronchodilation
B. Vasoconstriction
C. Increased heart rate
D. Uterine relaxation
Answer: C
Rationale: Beta-1 receptors are primarily located in the heart. Stimulation leads to
increased heart rate (chronotropy) and contractility (inotropy).
8. Which drug is a non-selective beta-blocker and should be avoided in patients
with asthma?
A. Metoprolol
B. Atenolol
C. Esmolol
D. Propranolol
Answer: D
Rationale: Propranolol is non-selective, blocking both Beta-1 and Beta-2 receptors.
Blocking Beta-2 receptors can cause bronchoconstriction, which is dangerous for
asthmatics.
UPDATE
1. Which term describes the process of what the body does to a drug, including
absorption, distribution, metabolism, and excretion?
A. Pharmacodynamics
B. Pharmacogenetics
C. Pharmacokinetics
D. Pharmacotherapeutics
Answer: C
Rationale: Pharmacokinetics (PK) is the study of drug movement through the body
(ADME). Pharmacodynamics (PD) is what the drug does to the body.
2. Where is the primary site of drug metabolism in the human body?
A. Kidneys
B. Liver
C. Lungs
D. Small Intestine
Answer: B
Rationale: The liver is the primary organ responsible for drug metabolism, largely due to
the presence of the Cytochrome P450 enzyme system.
,3. A drug with a high therapeutic index is considered:
A. Potent but dangerous
B. Highly toxic
C. Relatively safe
D. Ineffective
Answer: C
Rationale: Therapeutic Index (TI) is the ratio of the toxic dose to the effective dose. A
higher index means there is a large margin of safety between the effective and lethal dose.
4. The ‘first-pass effect’ refers to the metabolism of a drug that occurs after oral
administration in which organ?
A. Stomach
B. Kidneys
C. Liver
D. Heart
Answer: C
Rationale: Orally administered drugs are absorbed in the GI tract and carried to the liver
via the portal vein, where they may be metabolized before reaching systemic circulation.
5. Which type of drug binds to a receptor and prevents a response from
occurring?
A. Agonist
B. Partial Agonist
C. Synergist
D. Antagonist
Answer: D
Rationale: Antagonists bind to receptors but do not activate them; instead, they block or
dampen a biological response by preventing agonists from binding.
, 6. Which neurotransmitter is primarily associated with the parasympathetic
nervous system?
A. Epinephrine
B. Norepinephrine
C. Acetylcholine
D. Dopamine
Answer: C
Rationale: Acetylcholine (ACh) is the primary neurotransmitter for the parasympathetic
nervous system at both pre- and post-ganglionic neurons.
7. Stimulation of Beta-1 receptors primarily results in:
A. Bronchodilation
B. Vasoconstriction
C. Increased heart rate
D. Uterine relaxation
Answer: C
Rationale: Beta-1 receptors are primarily located in the heart. Stimulation leads to
increased heart rate (chronotropy) and contractility (inotropy).
8. Which drug is a non-selective beta-blocker and should be avoided in patients
with asthma?
A. Metoprolol
B. Atenolol
C. Esmolol
D. Propranolol
Answer: D
Rationale: Propranolol is non-selective, blocking both Beta-1 and Beta-2 receptors.
Blocking Beta-2 receptors can cause bronchoconstriction, which is dangerous for
asthmatics.
