Question 1

Which of the following best describes a Complex Chemical Entity (CCE) in the context of natural product drug discovery?

Accepted Answer

A mixture of many molecules usually found together in one extract.

Question 2

Lipinski's 'Rule of 5' is used to predict which property of a drug candidate?

Accepted Answer

Its oral bioavailability.

Question 3

Which critical factor for drug discovery is most directly related to the ability of a drug to reach its target in the body?

Accepted Answer

Biological issues such as metabolism and transporter issues

Question 4

Salicylic acid, derived from willow bark, is considered a successful natural product because it:

Accepted Answer

Fits all the 'rules' for drug discovery, including easy synthesis and selective mechanism.

Question 5

Taxol (Paclitaxel) is an example of a natural product that fails many 'rules' for drug discovery. Which of the following is NOT a reason for this?

Accepted Answer

It is extremely easy to synthesize.

Question 6

Which strategy for natural product drug discovery relies on ancestral knowledge and traditional medicine?

Accepted Answer

Ethnopharmacology

Question 7

In the modern drug discovery process from natural products, what is the main purpose of fractionation?

Accepted Answer

To separate the extract into different components for bioassay testing.

Question 8

Which analytical technique is best suited for determining the presence of functional groups in a molecule during structure elucidation?

Accepted Answer

IR spectroscopy

Question 9

Why is teprotide, a peptide from Bothrops jararaca venom, not orally active?

Accepted Answer

It undergoes amide hydrolysis in the stomach, breaking down the peptide.

Question 10

Which property of gel filtration chromatography makes it suitable for separating peptides in snake venom?

Accepted Answer

Separation based on molecular size and/or shape.

Question 11

Avermectins and ivermectins are related compounds used to treat River Blindness. What is the main chemical difference between them?

Accepted Answer

Ivermectin is a dihydro derivative of avermectin B$$_{1a}.$$

Question 12

Which of the following is NOT a challenge commonly faced when using natural products for drug discovery?

Accepted Answer

Natural molecules can be easily patented without modification.

Question 13

Which step in the drug discovery process from natural products involves testing each fraction for biological activity?

Accepted Answer

Bioassay

Question 14

Which of the following is a real-world example of a drug discovered through observation of toxic effects of a natural product?

Accepted Answer

Captopril, inspired by teprotide from Bothrops jararaca venom

Question 15

Which of the following is a key advantage of using robotic chromatography systems in natural product drug discovery?

Accepted Answer

They significantly accelerate the purification process.

Question 16

Which of the following is NOT a step in the creation of a chemical library from natural products?

Accepted Answer

Directly synthesizing new chemical entities without extraction

Question 17

Which case study demonstrates the use of food components in drug discovery for a rare inherited metabolic disorder?

Accepted Answer

Lorenzo's oil for ALD (adrenoleukodystrophy)

Question 18

Which of the following is a reason why many natural products do NOT conform to Lipinski's 'Rule of 5'?

Accepted Answer

They often have high molecular weight and many hydrogen bond donors/acceptors.

Question 19

Which of the following is a direct application of NMR spectroscopy in the structure elucidation of natural products?

Accepted Answer

Identifying the position of atoms and functional groups within the molecule

Approaches to Drug Discovery from Natural Products: Organic Chemistry Study Notes

Study Guide - Practice Questions