Respiratory system: chronic obstructive pulmonary disease
22 Respiratory system chronic obstructive pulmonary disease Questions What is chronic obstructive pulmonary disease? What drugs are used for its treatment? Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is characterized by airflow…
Local anaesthetics
9 Local anaesthetics Questions How are nerve impulses produced? What is the mechanism of action of local anaesthetics? Nerve conduction The lipid membrane provides a physical barrier for the movement…
Drug–receptor interactions
2 Drug–receptor interactions Questions What is drug affinity? What is drug efficacy? How do antagonists differ from agonists? Agonists The binding of a hormone, neurotransmitter or drug to its receptor…
Neuromuscular junction
8 Neuromuscular junction Questions How is skeletal muscle function regulated? What pharmacological agents can interfere with this process? Physiology of the neuromuscular junction Skeletal (voluntary) muscle receives a rich supply…
Sympathetic neurotransmission
7 Sympathetic neurotransmission Questions What are the pharmacological actions of sympathomimetics? How does interference with the sympathetic system affect physiology? The action potential in the postganglionic fibre is generated in…
Principles of drug action
1 Principles of drug action Questions How can a drug be defined? What are the types of receptor? Under normal physiological conditions, hormones (e.g. epinephrine) or neurotransmitters (e.g. acetylcholine) play…
Pharmacokinetics: metabolism and excretion
4 Pharmacokinetics metabolism excretion Questions How are drugs metabolized? How are drugs excreted? What factors alter drug excretion? Drug metabolism The liver is the major organ for the biotransformation of…
Cholinergic neurotransmission
6 Cholinergic neurotransmission Questions What are the pharmacological actions of cholinomimetic agents? How does interference with the parasympathetic system affect physiology? Acetylcholine is synthesized and stored in vesicles and released…
Autonomic nervous system
5 Autonomic nervous system Questions What are the major subdivisions of the autonomic nervous system? What effect does activation of these systems have on function? The autonomic nervous system is…
