Final Exam Flashcards
(10 cards)
What are the two primary roles for metals in medicine?
Theraputic drugs and diagnostic drugs
What are metal theraputic drugs used for?
medical treatments, as part of drugs (Li salts depression; Ru anticancer; As syphilis and antibiotic; Au anti-rheumatic; Bi anti-inflammatories)
What are metal diagnostic drugs used for?
imaging agents (magnetic and radiation properties) (Re photodynamic activation; Gd/lanthanides MRI)
What is the synthetic chemistry that is needed to prepare cisplatin in the laboratory. Briefly describe why the synthesis is specific for the cis-isomer.
The trans-effect: Cl⁻ is a stronger trans-directing ligand than NH₃, promoting substitution that leads to the cis-isomer.
What is cisplatic the leading ‘front-line’ drugs for?
Testicular and ovarian cancers
How does penicillin act as an antibiotic?
Penicillin inhibits bacterial cell wall synthesis by mimicking the D-Ala-D-Ala peptide, binding irreversibly to transpeptidase and blocking peptidoglycan cross-linking.
Why are antimicrobial peptides considered promising antibiotic candidates?
Abundant and diverse across species
Small and easy to synthesise.
Bacteria have limited prior exposure.
Versatile action (membrane disruption).
Selectively target negatively charged membranes (e.g., in bacteria or cancer cells).
What changes occur to cisplatin after it enters the bloodstream?
Stays intact in blood due to high [Cl⁻].
Passively diffuses into cells with lower [Cl⁻].
Undergoes hydrolysis to form [Pt(NH₃)₂Cl(H₂O)]⁺.
Binds N7 of guanine in DNA → crosslinking → apoptosis.
Name one newer platinum-based drug and how it improves on cisplatin.
Carboplatin – slower activation (less toxic).
Oxaliplatin – better DNA binding in grooves.
Picoplatin – less sulfur protein binding.
Satraplatin – orally available prodrug (Pt(IV) → Pt(II)).
Describe the three main structural components of a glycerophospholipid.
Polar head group (e.g., phospho-ethanolamine).
Glycerol backbone.
Two hydrophobic fatty acid tails esterified to glycerol.
