What Did I Learn?

The following questions will help you review concepts presented in this module.

1. Alkaloids are found most commonly in the subclass of Angiosperms known as the dicots. Which of the following best describes the characteristics of a dicot?
   1. Embryos bearing one cotyledon, parallel-veined leaves, 3-petaled leaves, and scattered vascular bundles
   2. Embryos bearing one cotyledon, net-veined leaves, 4- or 5-petaled leaves, and vascular cylinders arranged in concentric rings
   3. Embryos bearing two cotyledons, parallel-veined leaves, 3-petaled leaves, and scattered vascular bundles
   4. Embryos bearing two cotyledons, net-veined leaves, 4- or 5-petaled leaves, and vascular cylinders arranged in concentric rings
2. When extracting alkaloids from plants (either chemically or by smoking), why does the extraction process usually require an alkaline environment?
   1. It shifts the equilibrium of the alkaloid molecule to favor the polar, charged form.
   2. It shifts the equilibrium of the alkaloid molecule to favor the non-polar, free base form.
   3. It shifts the equilibrium of the alkaloid molecule to favor the polar, free base form.
   4. It shifts the equilibrium of the alkaloid molecule to favor the non-polar, charged form.
3. Tobacco companies add ammonium hydroxide to the tobacco as it is prepared in the production of cigarettes.  Why do they do this?
   1. It makes the inhaled smoke taste better.
   2. It keeps nicotine from degrading.
   3. It shifts nicotine into its more polar form, helping it to volatilize.
   4. It shifts nicotine into its more non-polar form, helping it to volatilize.
4. Drugs have several targets with which they interact in the body to produce their effects.  These targets include enzymes, receptors and transporters.  They belong to the family of:
   1. Lipids
   2. Carbohydrates
   3. Proteins
   4. Nucleic Acids
5. Several forces enable the reversible binding of a charged drug to its receptor (or target).  Which of the following describes the forces involved in 1) the initial attraction of a charged drug to its target and 2) the strengthening of the drug-target interaction?
   1. electrostatic; hydrogen bonds
   2. hydrogen bonds; van der Waals forces
   3. van der Waals forces; electrostatic
   4. electrostatic; covalent

Now, check your answers here.