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 begins investigating a plant that has been used
traditionally for pain relief and isolates individual chemical constituents
to determine which compound produces the observed biological
activity. What is the primary goal of this approach?
A. To identify a biologically active lead compound
B. To determine the final commercial dosage form
,C. To eliminate the need for pharmacokinetic studies
D. To prove that the plant extract is safer than synthetic drugs
Correct Answer: A. To identify a biologically active lead compound
Rationale:
A is correct because isolation and biological testing of individual
constituents can identify a compound with pharmacological activity that
may serve as a lead for further optimization.
B is incorrect because dosage-form development occurs much later and
is not the primary goal of identifying active constituents.
C is incorrect because identifying a lead does not eliminate the need to
study absorption, distribution, metabolism, and excretion.
D is incorrect because natural origin does not establish superior safety;
isolated compounds require systematic safety evaluation.
Question 2
Which statement best describes a major contribution of medicinal
plants to drug discovery?
A. They provide chemically diverse molecules that can serve as
therapeutic leads.
B. They eliminate the need for synthetic chemistry.
C. They guarantee that every isolated compound will have clinical utility.
D. They primarily provide drugs that are chemically identical to
endogenous human compounds.
Correct Answer: A. They provide chemically diverse molecules that can
serve as therapeutic leads.
, Rationale:
A is correct because plants produce structurally diverse natural
products, some of which have useful biological activity and can become
starting points for drug development.
B is incorrect because synthetic and medicinal chemistry are often
needed to optimize potency, selectivity, stability, and pharmacokinetic
properties.
C is incorrect because many natural products have poor potency,
toxicity, limited selectivity, or unfavorable pharmacokinetics.
D is incorrect because many plant-derived molecules have structures
that are not identical to endogenous human compounds.
Question 3
A compound isolated from a medicinal plant produces a reproducible
effect against a validated biological target and can be chemically
modified to improve its properties. In drug discovery, this compound is
best described as a:
A. Lead compound
B. Placebo
C. Biomarker
D. Formulation excipient
Correct Answer: A. Lead compound
Rationale:
A is correct because a lead compound is a molecule with sufficient
biological activity and chemical tractability to justify further
optimization.
Goodman and Gilman's The
Pharmacological Basis of Therapeutics
14th Edition
Author(s)Laurence Brunton; Bjorn Knollmann
Print ISBN: 9781264258079
,Question 1
A researcher begins investigating a plant that has been used
traditionally for pain relief and isolates individual chemical constituents
to determine which compound produces the observed biological
activity. What is the primary goal of this approach?
A. To identify a biologically active lead compound
B. To determine the final commercial dosage form
,C. To eliminate the need for pharmacokinetic studies
D. To prove that the plant extract is safer than synthetic drugs
Correct Answer: A. To identify a biologically active lead compound
Rationale:
A is correct because isolation and biological testing of individual
constituents can identify a compound with pharmacological activity that
may serve as a lead for further optimization.
B is incorrect because dosage-form development occurs much later and
is not the primary goal of identifying active constituents.
C is incorrect because identifying a lead does not eliminate the need to
study absorption, distribution, metabolism, and excretion.
D is incorrect because natural origin does not establish superior safety;
isolated compounds require systematic safety evaluation.
Question 2
Which statement best describes a major contribution of medicinal
plants to drug discovery?
A. They provide chemically diverse molecules that can serve as
therapeutic leads.
B. They eliminate the need for synthetic chemistry.
C. They guarantee that every isolated compound will have clinical utility.
D. They primarily provide drugs that are chemically identical to
endogenous human compounds.
Correct Answer: A. They provide chemically diverse molecules that can
serve as therapeutic leads.
, Rationale:
A is correct because plants produce structurally diverse natural
products, some of which have useful biological activity and can become
starting points for drug development.
B is incorrect because synthetic and medicinal chemistry are often
needed to optimize potency, selectivity, stability, and pharmacokinetic
properties.
C is incorrect because many natural products have poor potency,
toxicity, limited selectivity, or unfavorable pharmacokinetics.
D is incorrect because many plant-derived molecules have structures
that are not identical to endogenous human compounds.
Question 3
A compound isolated from a medicinal plant produces a reproducible
effect against a validated biological target and can be chemically
modified to improve its properties. In drug discovery, this compound is
best described as a:
A. Lead compound
B. Placebo
C. Biomarker
D. Formulation excipient
Correct Answer: A. Lead compound
Rationale:
A is correct because a lead compound is a molecule with sufficient
biological activity and chemical tractability to justify further
optimization.
