BIO 101 PHARMACOLOGY EXAM
2 – WEEKS 4, 5 & 6 NOTES +
Q&A | A+ GRADED | UPDATED
2026
Autonomic Nervous System
● Sympathetic Actions (fight or flight) i.e. epinephrine
○ Eye
■ Contraction of iris radial muscle (pupil dilates)
○ Trachea and Bronchioles
■ Dilation
○ Adrenal Medulla
■ Secretion of epinephrine and norepinephrine
○ Kidney
■ Secretion of Renin (B1 increases, X1 decreases)
○ Ureter and Bladder
■ Relaxation of detrusor; contraction of trigone and sphincter
○ Genitalia (male)
■ Stimulation of ejaculation
○ Genitalia (female)
■ Relaxation of uterus
○ Salivary glands
■ Thick, viscous secretions
○ Heart
■ Increased rate; increased contractility
○ GI System
■ Decreased muscle motility and tone; contraction of sphincters
○ Blood Vessels
■ Contraction
● Parasympathetic Actions (rest and digest) i.e. beta blocker
○ Eye
■ Contraction of iris sphincter muscle (pupil contracts)
■ Contraction of ciliary muscle (lens accommodates for near
vision)
○ Trachea and Bronchioles
■ Constriction, increased secretions
,○ Genitalia (Male)
■ Stimulation of erection
○ Lacrimal Glands
■ Stimulation of tears
○ Salivary glands
■ Copious, watery secretion
○ Heart
■ Decreased rate; decreased contractility
○ GI System
■ Increased muscle motility and tone
, Alpha 1 Antagonists (Blocker)
(Prazosin, Tamsulosin)
● Indications
○ BPH, second line anti-hypertensive, PTSD, nightmares
● Pharmacodynamics
○ Competitively inhibits postsynaptic alpha-adrenergic receptors.
Results in vasodilation of veins and arterioles and a decrease in total
peripheral resistance.
○ Relaxes smooth muscle in the bladder and prostate
● Adverse effects
○ First dose orthostatic hypotension, edema, dizziness,
drowsiness, fatigue, headache, NOT indicated in pregnancy
Alpha 2 Agonists
(Clonidine, Methyldopa, Guanfacine)
● Outpatient Indications
○ Hypertension, ADHD
● Pharmacodynamics
○ Stimulates alpha 2 receptors in the brain stem activating an
inhibitory neuron, resulting in reduced CNS sympathetic outflow,
producing a decrease in peripheral vascular resistance, HR and BP
● Adverse effects
○ Bradycardia, Hypotension, dizziness, drowsiness, xerostomia, fatigue,
headache, nightmares. Methyldopa CAN be used in pregnancy (as
antihypertensive)
○ Caution with elderly d/t easily permeate blood brain barrier
○ Careful dosing in renally impaired
Beta 2 Agonists
Albuterol (SABA), Formoterol (LABA) - relax smooth muscle and dilate the
lungs
Albuterol SHORT acting
Formoterol LONG acting (quick onset, lasts longer)
How Beta Blockers Work
● Beta Blockers affect receptors in the heart and blood vessels
● Beta Blockers slow SA node which initiates heartbeat
● Slow heart rate allows left ventricle to fill completely and lowers the heart
workload
● Dilate arteries, lowering blood pressure
Beta 1 Antagonists (Selective)
Metoprolol
● Indications
○ Heart failure, angina, afib/flutter, left ventricular dysfunction after an
MI, second line HTN, SVT
● Pharmacodynamics
, ○ Lower cardiac output, decrease blood pressure, decrease renin
angiotensin system (RAS) and decrease peripheral vascular
resistance
● Adverse effects
○ Hypotension, bradycardia, fatigue, depression, impotence. NOT
recommended in pregnancy
Beta Antagonist
Propanolol (Not selective, will interact with B1 and B2 receptors)
● Indications
○ Anxiety, migraines, angina and second line hypertension
● Pharmacodynamics
○ Lower cardiac output, decrease blood pressure, decrease renin
angiotensin system (RAS) and decrease peripheral vascular
resistance
● Adverse effects
○ More likely to cause bronchospasm d/t interaction with Beta 2
receptors
○ Should NOT be prescribed in patients who have asthma
Contraindications for Selective AND Non Selective Beta Antagonists
● Atrioventricular block (AV block)
○ Because of the potential to decrease reduction in cardiac output and
worsening failure
● Peripheral Vascular Disease
○ Also worsened by decreased cardiac output and initial
vasoconstriction when beta blockers are ingested
● Do not abruptly stop taper over 1-2 weeks
Alpha and Beta Antagonists (3rd generation beta blockers)
Labetalol, Carvedilol
● Indications
○ Labetalol: HTN, preferred in pregnancy
○ Carvedilol: HR with reduced EF, left ventricular dysfunction following MI
● Pharmacodynamics
○ Nonselective beta receptor blockade and alpha 1 receptor
blockade thereby decrease blood pressure and peripheral
resistance; these combined effects decrease myocardial oxygen
demand and lower cardiac workload
Alpha and Beta Agonists
Epinephrine
● Indications
○ Emergency treatment of type 1 allergic reaction
● Pharmacodynamics
2 – WEEKS 4, 5 & 6 NOTES +
Q&A | A+ GRADED | UPDATED
2026
Autonomic Nervous System
● Sympathetic Actions (fight or flight) i.e. epinephrine
○ Eye
■ Contraction of iris radial muscle (pupil dilates)
○ Trachea and Bronchioles
■ Dilation
○ Adrenal Medulla
■ Secretion of epinephrine and norepinephrine
○ Kidney
■ Secretion of Renin (B1 increases, X1 decreases)
○ Ureter and Bladder
■ Relaxation of detrusor; contraction of trigone and sphincter
○ Genitalia (male)
■ Stimulation of ejaculation
○ Genitalia (female)
■ Relaxation of uterus
○ Salivary glands
■ Thick, viscous secretions
○ Heart
■ Increased rate; increased contractility
○ GI System
■ Decreased muscle motility and tone; contraction of sphincters
○ Blood Vessels
■ Contraction
● Parasympathetic Actions (rest and digest) i.e. beta blocker
○ Eye
■ Contraction of iris sphincter muscle (pupil contracts)
■ Contraction of ciliary muscle (lens accommodates for near
vision)
○ Trachea and Bronchioles
■ Constriction, increased secretions
,○ Genitalia (Male)
■ Stimulation of erection
○ Lacrimal Glands
■ Stimulation of tears
○ Salivary glands
■ Copious, watery secretion
○ Heart
■ Decreased rate; decreased contractility
○ GI System
■ Increased muscle motility and tone
, Alpha 1 Antagonists (Blocker)
(Prazosin, Tamsulosin)
● Indications
○ BPH, second line anti-hypertensive, PTSD, nightmares
● Pharmacodynamics
○ Competitively inhibits postsynaptic alpha-adrenergic receptors.
Results in vasodilation of veins and arterioles and a decrease in total
peripheral resistance.
○ Relaxes smooth muscle in the bladder and prostate
● Adverse effects
○ First dose orthostatic hypotension, edema, dizziness,
drowsiness, fatigue, headache, NOT indicated in pregnancy
Alpha 2 Agonists
(Clonidine, Methyldopa, Guanfacine)
● Outpatient Indications
○ Hypertension, ADHD
● Pharmacodynamics
○ Stimulates alpha 2 receptors in the brain stem activating an
inhibitory neuron, resulting in reduced CNS sympathetic outflow,
producing a decrease in peripheral vascular resistance, HR and BP
● Adverse effects
○ Bradycardia, Hypotension, dizziness, drowsiness, xerostomia, fatigue,
headache, nightmares. Methyldopa CAN be used in pregnancy (as
antihypertensive)
○ Caution with elderly d/t easily permeate blood brain barrier
○ Careful dosing in renally impaired
Beta 2 Agonists
Albuterol (SABA), Formoterol (LABA) - relax smooth muscle and dilate the
lungs
Albuterol SHORT acting
Formoterol LONG acting (quick onset, lasts longer)
How Beta Blockers Work
● Beta Blockers affect receptors in the heart and blood vessels
● Beta Blockers slow SA node which initiates heartbeat
● Slow heart rate allows left ventricle to fill completely and lowers the heart
workload
● Dilate arteries, lowering blood pressure
Beta 1 Antagonists (Selective)
Metoprolol
● Indications
○ Heart failure, angina, afib/flutter, left ventricular dysfunction after an
MI, second line HTN, SVT
● Pharmacodynamics
, ○ Lower cardiac output, decrease blood pressure, decrease renin
angiotensin system (RAS) and decrease peripheral vascular
resistance
● Adverse effects
○ Hypotension, bradycardia, fatigue, depression, impotence. NOT
recommended in pregnancy
Beta Antagonist
Propanolol (Not selective, will interact with B1 and B2 receptors)
● Indications
○ Anxiety, migraines, angina and second line hypertension
● Pharmacodynamics
○ Lower cardiac output, decrease blood pressure, decrease renin
angiotensin system (RAS) and decrease peripheral vascular
resistance
● Adverse effects
○ More likely to cause bronchospasm d/t interaction with Beta 2
receptors
○ Should NOT be prescribed in patients who have asthma
Contraindications for Selective AND Non Selective Beta Antagonists
● Atrioventricular block (AV block)
○ Because of the potential to decrease reduction in cardiac output and
worsening failure
● Peripheral Vascular Disease
○ Also worsened by decreased cardiac output and initial
vasoconstriction when beta blockers are ingested
● Do not abruptly stop taper over 1-2 weeks
Alpha and Beta Antagonists (3rd generation beta blockers)
Labetalol, Carvedilol
● Indications
○ Labetalol: HTN, preferred in pregnancy
○ Carvedilol: HR with reduced EF, left ventricular dysfunction following MI
● Pharmacodynamics
○ Nonselective beta receptor blockade and alpha 1 receptor
blockade thereby decrease blood pressure and peripheral
resistance; these combined effects decrease myocardial oxygen
demand and lower cardiac workload
Alpha and Beta Agonists
Epinephrine
● Indications
○ Emergency treatment of type 1 allergic reaction
● Pharmacodynamics
