C.iii · Pharmacodynamics

This viva will initially test your knowledge on structure-activity relationships. Can you name this chemical compound? (Image removed from report.)

This viva tested knowledge of buffer systems in the body and the renal handling of acid. It went on to discuss drug ionization, pKa and dissociation and then the pharmacology of local anaesthetic agents

CH2 CH2 NH2 Candidates were expected to recognise ‘phenylethylamine’ and appreciate that it is the precursor molecule for the naturally occurring catecholamines. A brief overview of its structure activity relationships, particularly with respect to substitutions on the phenyl ring, β carbon and amine group (producing dopamine, adrenaline and noradrenaline) was expected. Questioning then progressed to discuss the pharmacology of noradrenaline in more detail. Changing questions, candidates were asked to provide a very brief overview of what the autonomic nervous system was before exploring the physiology of the valsalva manoeuvre in some detail. Syllabus: G3a2d, G3a2b and G3a1