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 studying a medicinal plant identifies a compound that
produces a reproducible biological effect in an experimental assay. In
the context of drug discovery, what is the most appropriate
interpretation of this finding?
A. The compound is already a clinically useful drug
B. The compound may represent a starting point for further drug
,discovery
C. The compound has automatically demonstrated an acceptable safety
profile
D. The compound has established superiority over existing therapies
Correct Answer:
B. The compound may represent a starting point for further drug
discovery
Rationale:
A biologically active compound isolated from a medicinal plant can
serve as a starting point for identifying and optimizing a potential drug
candidate. Biological activity alone does not establish clinical
usefulness, safety, efficacy in humans, or superiority over existing
treatments.
• A is incorrect: Biological activity in an experimental assay does not
make a compound a clinically approved drug.
• C is incorrect: Safety must be characterized through appropriate
preclinical and clinical evaluation.
• D is incorrect: Comparative therapeutic superiority requires
evidence from appropriate studies.
Question 2
Why have naturally occurring compounds from medicinal plants
historically been important in drug discovery?
A. Natural compounds never require chemical modification
B. Natural compounds can provide biologically active molecular
, structures that serve as leads
C. Natural compounds are automatically selective for their intended
molecular targets
D. Natural compounds eliminate the need for pharmacological testing
Correct Answer:
B. Natural compounds can provide biologically active molecular
structures that serve as leads
Rationale:
Natural products have historically contributed structurally diverse
molecules with biologic activity that can provide useful starting points
for drug discovery. Such compounds may subsequently undergo
structural characterization and optimization.
• A is incorrect: Natural compounds may require substantial
structural modification to improve potency, selectivity,
pharmacokinetics, or safety.
• C is incorrect: Natural origin does not guarantee target selectivity.
• D is incorrect: Natural products still require pharmacological and
toxicological evaluation.
Question 3
A medicinal chemist modifies the chemical structure of an active lead
compound to improve its potency while attempting to preserve its
desirable properties. What stage of drug discovery is being illustrated?
A. Lead optimization
B. Adverse-event reporting
Goodman and Gilman's The
Pharmacological Basis of Therapeutics
14th Edition
Author(s)Laurence Brunton; Bjorn Knollmann
Print ISBN: 9781264258079
,Question 1
A researcher studying a medicinal plant identifies a compound that
produces a reproducible biological effect in an experimental assay. In
the context of drug discovery, what is the most appropriate
interpretation of this finding?
A. The compound is already a clinically useful drug
B. The compound may represent a starting point for further drug
,discovery
C. The compound has automatically demonstrated an acceptable safety
profile
D. The compound has established superiority over existing therapies
Correct Answer:
B. The compound may represent a starting point for further drug
discovery
Rationale:
A biologically active compound isolated from a medicinal plant can
serve as a starting point for identifying and optimizing a potential drug
candidate. Biological activity alone does not establish clinical
usefulness, safety, efficacy in humans, or superiority over existing
treatments.
• A is incorrect: Biological activity in an experimental assay does not
make a compound a clinically approved drug.
• C is incorrect: Safety must be characterized through appropriate
preclinical and clinical evaluation.
• D is incorrect: Comparative therapeutic superiority requires
evidence from appropriate studies.
Question 2
Why have naturally occurring compounds from medicinal plants
historically been important in drug discovery?
A. Natural compounds never require chemical modification
B. Natural compounds can provide biologically active molecular
, structures that serve as leads
C. Natural compounds are automatically selective for their intended
molecular targets
D. Natural compounds eliminate the need for pharmacological testing
Correct Answer:
B. Natural compounds can provide biologically active molecular
structures that serve as leads
Rationale:
Natural products have historically contributed structurally diverse
molecules with biologic activity that can provide useful starting points
for drug discovery. Such compounds may subsequently undergo
structural characterization and optimization.
• A is incorrect: Natural compounds may require substantial
structural modification to improve potency, selectivity,
pharmacokinetics, or safety.
• C is incorrect: Natural origin does not guarantee target selectivity.
• D is incorrect: Natural products still require pharmacological and
toxicological evaluation.
Question 3
A medicinal chemist modifies the chemical structure of an active lead
compound to improve its potency while attempting to preserve its
desirable properties. What stage of drug discovery is being illustrated?
A. Lead optimization
B. Adverse-event reporting
