Pharmacology Exam 2026 Questions and
Answers
Pharmacology - Answer -the study of drugs
-Toxicology (study of environmental toxins)
-therapeutics: 2 subtypes--> (use a drug to treat a disease)
1. pharmacodynamics (what a drug does to the body)
2. pharmacokinetics (what the body does to a drug, absorb, distribute etc)
what is a drug - Answer -any chemical that changes the processes of living
Drug Nomenclature - Answer -Chemical name: N-Acetyl-p-aminophenol
(development stage)
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,Generic Name: Acetominophen (easier to pronounce and remember) *only 1
generic name. They all have the same suffix.
Trade name: Tylenol (can be numerous trade names)
Drug Resources - Answer -1. physicians desk reference (PDR)
2. Nursing drug guides (mosby's' et al.)
3. Online resources (epocrates.com)
What is a receptor? 5 components - Answer -1. some component on or inside a cell
that substances can bind
2. Most drugs and endogenous substances bind receptors
3. Most protein based
4. Lock and key (structurally match up to receptor)
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,5. Receptor Subtypes (ex: ACH-nicotinic receptor: recognizes both autonomic
ganglion and skeletal muscle, but can make one that only recognizes on area)
Types of Receptors - Answer -1. Receptors located on the cell surface
2. Intracellular Receptors
-Cytosolic receptors
-Nuclear receptors
Why have receptors on the cell surface? - Answer -Majority of hormones are not
have able to cross the membrane through diffusion, so they have to bind to a
receptor on the surface to get into the cell.
They are not lipid soluble.
most hormones and neurostransmitters are lipid INSOLUBLE, so they need
receptors to bring them into the cell.
Receptors on the cell surface
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, Communication of hormones and receptors. - Answer -1. Receptors are linked to
ion channels. They control the opening of it. (Ex: acetylcholine is able to get Na+
into the cell by initiating opening of ion channels when it binds)
2. receptors linked to enzymes (ex: insulin or GH, bind to receptor on surface and
causes the enzymatic portion to produce changes within the cell. *Picture ^)
3. Receptors linked to second messengers
(Both use G proteins: Adenylate Cyclase System, IP3 system)
Second Messenger System
Adenylate Cyclase steps - Answer -1. hormone binds to the specific receptor (1st
messenger) *The receptor must be COUPLED to the G protein to work.
2. Causes GTP to bind to protien
3. Causes G protein to move away from receptor through the membrane until it
encounters an enzyme
4. the enzyme is adylte. cyclase
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Answers
Pharmacology - Answer -the study of drugs
-Toxicology (study of environmental toxins)
-therapeutics: 2 subtypes--> (use a drug to treat a disease)
1. pharmacodynamics (what a drug does to the body)
2. pharmacokinetics (what the body does to a drug, absorb, distribute etc)
what is a drug - Answer -any chemical that changes the processes of living
Drug Nomenclature - Answer -Chemical name: N-Acetyl-p-aminophenol
(development stage)
©COPYRIGHT 2025, ALL RIGHTS RESERVED 1
,Generic Name: Acetominophen (easier to pronounce and remember) *only 1
generic name. They all have the same suffix.
Trade name: Tylenol (can be numerous trade names)
Drug Resources - Answer -1. physicians desk reference (PDR)
2. Nursing drug guides (mosby's' et al.)
3. Online resources (epocrates.com)
What is a receptor? 5 components - Answer -1. some component on or inside a cell
that substances can bind
2. Most drugs and endogenous substances bind receptors
3. Most protein based
4. Lock and key (structurally match up to receptor)
©COPYRIGHT 2025, ALL RIGHTS RESERVED 2
,5. Receptor Subtypes (ex: ACH-nicotinic receptor: recognizes both autonomic
ganglion and skeletal muscle, but can make one that only recognizes on area)
Types of Receptors - Answer -1. Receptors located on the cell surface
2. Intracellular Receptors
-Cytosolic receptors
-Nuclear receptors
Why have receptors on the cell surface? - Answer -Majority of hormones are not
have able to cross the membrane through diffusion, so they have to bind to a
receptor on the surface to get into the cell.
They are not lipid soluble.
most hormones and neurostransmitters are lipid INSOLUBLE, so they need
receptors to bring them into the cell.
Receptors on the cell surface
©COPYRIGHT 2025, ALL RIGHTS RESERVED 3
, Communication of hormones and receptors. - Answer -1. Receptors are linked to
ion channels. They control the opening of it. (Ex: acetylcholine is able to get Na+
into the cell by initiating opening of ion channels when it binds)
2. receptors linked to enzymes (ex: insulin or GH, bind to receptor on surface and
causes the enzymatic portion to produce changes within the cell. *Picture ^)
3. Receptors linked to second messengers
(Both use G proteins: Adenylate Cyclase System, IP3 system)
Second Messenger System
Adenylate Cyclase steps - Answer -1. hormone binds to the specific receptor (1st
messenger) *The receptor must be COUPLED to the G protein to work.
2. Causes GTP to bind to protien
3. Causes G protein to move away from receptor through the membrane until it
encounters an enzyme
4. the enzyme is adylte. cyclase
©COPYRIGHT 2025, ALL RIGHTS RESERVED 4
