Chapter 4 Question Bank with 100% Correct Answers

Several small aromatic molecules, such as phenol red, which is used as a nontoxic drug model, have been shown to inhibit the formation of amyloid fibrils in laboratory model systems. A goal of the research on these small aromatic compounds is to find a drug that efficiently inhibits the formation of amyloid in the brain in people with incipient Alzheimer disease. Why would molecules with aromatic substituents disrupt the formation of amyloid? Molecules with aromatic substituents interfere with stacking of aromatic residues within fibrils. Molecules with aromatic substituents cause highly unordered fibrils to become more structured. Molecules with aromatic substituents prevent α helix formation in amyloid fibrils. Molecules with aromatic substituents prevent β sheet formation in amyloid fibrils. - Molecules with aromatic substituents interfere with stacking of aromatic residues within fibrils. Some researchers suggest that a drug used to treat Alzheimer disease may also be effective in treating type 2 (non-insulin-dependent) diabetes mellitus. Why might a single drug be effective in treating these two different conditions?