TEST BANK
Goodman and Gilman's The
Pharmacological Basis of Therapeutics
14th Edition
Author(s)Laurence Brunton; Bjorn Knollmann
Print ISBN: 9781264258079
,Question 1
A researcher isolates a biologically active molecule from a medicinal
plant and wants to investigate whether it could serve as a starting point
for a new drug. What is the most appropriate term for this molecule at
this stage of discovery?
A. Lead compound
B. Placebo
,C. Therapeutic antibody
D. Biomarker
Correct Answer:
A. Lead compound
Rationale:
A is correct because a biologically active molecule identified during
early drug discovery can serve as a lead compound, which may be
chemically optimized to improve potency, selectivity, pharmacokinetics,
or safety. B is incorrect because a placebo has no intended active
pharmacological effect. C is incorrect because a therapeutic antibody is
a biologic drug modality rather than the general designation for a small
molecule discovered from a plant. D is incorrect because a biomarker is
a measurable biological indicator rather than a drug candidate.
Question 2
Why have medicinal plants historically been important sources of
pharmacologically active compounds?
A. Plant extracts always contain only one pharmacologically active
molecule.
B. Plants synthesize diverse secondary metabolites that can interact
with biological targets.
C. Plant-derived compounds are automatically safe for human use.
D. Plant-derived compounds generally require no chemical optimization.
Correct Answer:
B. Plants synthesize diverse secondary metabolites that can interact
with biological targets.
, Rationale:
B is correct because plants produce structurally diverse secondary
metabolites, some of which have biological activities that make them
useful starting points for drug discovery. A is incorrect because plant
extracts commonly contain many compounds. C is incorrect because
natural origin does not guarantee safety. D is incorrect because plant-
derived molecules may require substantial optimization to achieve
acceptable efficacy, selectivity, pharmacokinetics, and safety.
Question 3
A medicinal chemistry team modifies the chemical structure of a
naturally occurring compound and observes that one analog has greater
potency against the intended target with less activity at an unwanted
target. What discovery concept is best illustrated?
A. Structure-activity relationship optimization
B. Randomization of treatment assignment
C. Therapeutic drug monitoring
D. Bioequivalence testing
Correct Answer:
A. Structure-activity relationship optimization
Rationale:
A is correct because comparing chemically related compounds to
determine how structural changes alter biological activity is the basis of
structure-activity relationship (SAR) analysis. B is incorrect because
randomization concerns clinical study design rather than chemical
optimization. C is incorrect because therapeutic drug monitoring
Goodman and Gilman's The
Pharmacological Basis of Therapeutics
14th Edition
Author(s)Laurence Brunton; Bjorn Knollmann
Print ISBN: 9781264258079
,Question 1
A researcher isolates a biologically active molecule from a medicinal
plant and wants to investigate whether it could serve as a starting point
for a new drug. What is the most appropriate term for this molecule at
this stage of discovery?
A. Lead compound
B. Placebo
,C. Therapeutic antibody
D. Biomarker
Correct Answer:
A. Lead compound
Rationale:
A is correct because a biologically active molecule identified during
early drug discovery can serve as a lead compound, which may be
chemically optimized to improve potency, selectivity, pharmacokinetics,
or safety. B is incorrect because a placebo has no intended active
pharmacological effect. C is incorrect because a therapeutic antibody is
a biologic drug modality rather than the general designation for a small
molecule discovered from a plant. D is incorrect because a biomarker is
a measurable biological indicator rather than a drug candidate.
Question 2
Why have medicinal plants historically been important sources of
pharmacologically active compounds?
A. Plant extracts always contain only one pharmacologically active
molecule.
B. Plants synthesize diverse secondary metabolites that can interact
with biological targets.
C. Plant-derived compounds are automatically safe for human use.
D. Plant-derived compounds generally require no chemical optimization.
Correct Answer:
B. Plants synthesize diverse secondary metabolites that can interact
with biological targets.
, Rationale:
B is correct because plants produce structurally diverse secondary
metabolites, some of which have biological activities that make them
useful starting points for drug discovery. A is incorrect because plant
extracts commonly contain many compounds. C is incorrect because
natural origin does not guarantee safety. D is incorrect because plant-
derived molecules may require substantial optimization to achieve
acceptable efficacy, selectivity, pharmacokinetics, and safety.
Question 3
A medicinal chemistry team modifies the chemical structure of a
naturally occurring compound and observes that one analog has greater
potency against the intended target with less activity at an unwanted
target. What discovery concept is best illustrated?
A. Structure-activity relationship optimization
B. Randomization of treatment assignment
C. Therapeutic drug monitoring
D. Bioequivalence testing
Correct Answer:
A. Structure-activity relationship optimization
Rationale:
A is correct because comparing chemically related compounds to
determine how structural changes alter biological activity is the basis of
structure-activity relationship (SAR) analysis. B is incorrect because
randomization concerns clinical study design rather than chemical
optimization. C is incorrect because therapeutic drug monitoring
