Sources of drugs – animals covers animal-derived medicines, biologics and excipients crucial to pharmacology and pharmaceutics. For B.Pharm students this topic links pharmacognosy, biochemistry and drug development: examples include insulin (porcine/bovine), heparin (porcine intestinal mucosa), calcitonin (salmon), hirudin (leech), exenatide (Gila monster), and ziconotide (cone snail). Study includes extraction, purification, immunogenicity, zoonotic risks, ethical sourcing, regulatory standards and modern alternatives (recombinant and synthetic analogs). Understanding species origin, processing methods and clinical implications prepares you for safe handling, formulation and regulatory compliance. Now let’s test your knowledge with 30 MCQs on this topic.
Q1. Which of the following is a common anticoagulant obtained from animal tissue?
- Heparin
- Warfarin
- Acetylsalicylic acid
- Streptokinase
Correct Answer: Heparin
Q2. Historically, therapeutic insulin was most commonly sourced from which animals?
- Porcine and bovine pancreas
- Fish liver
- Avian egg whites
- Sheep wool
Correct Answer: Porcine and bovine pancreas
Q3. The principal commercial source of unfractionated heparin is:
- Porcine intestinal mucosa
- Bovine brain tissue
- Fish oil
- Sheep wool
Correct Answer: Porcine intestinal mucosa
Q4. Salmon calcitonin, an animal-derived peptide drug, is primarily used to treat:
- Osteoporosis and hypercalcemia
- Diabetes mellitus
- Hypothyroidism
- Hypertension
Correct Answer: Osteoporosis and hypercalcemia
Q5. Exenatide, a GLP-1 receptor agonist, was originally isolated from the saliva of which animal?
- Gila monster (a lizard)
- Bullfrog
- Leech
- Cone snail
Correct Answer: Gila monster (a lizard)
Q6. Ziconotide, an analgesic for severe chronic pain, is derived from the venom of:
- Cone snail (Conus species)
- Brazilian pit viper
- Scorpion
- Box jellyfish
Correct Answer: Cone snail (Conus species)
Q7. Antivenoms and many therapeutic antisera are traditionally produced by immunizing which animal?
- Horse
- Chicken
- Rat
- Cat
Correct Answer: Horse
Q8. Lanolin, widely used as an emollient and excipient, is obtained from:
- Sheep wool
- Porcine skin
- Fish scales
- Beeswax
Correct Answer: Sheep wool
Q9. Traditional bile acid preparations used clinically were sourced from:
- Bovine (cattle) gallbladders
- Avian egg yolk
- Plant seeds
- Fungal cultures
Correct Answer: Bovine (cattle) gallbladders
Q10. Hirudin, an anticoagulant peptide used clinically, is produced by which animal?
- Leech
- Horse
- Cow
- Shark
Correct Answer: Leech
Q11. Pancreatin, used as a digestive aid, is commonly prepared from:
- Porcine pancreas
- Sheep thyroid
- Fish liver
- Chicken egg whites
Correct Answer: Porcine pancreas
Q12. A major safety concern unique to animal-derived biologicals is:
- Immunogenicity and allergic reactions
- Excessive chemical stability
- Universal non-reactivity in humans
- Guaranteed sterility without processing
Correct Answer: Immunogenicity and allergic reactions
Q13. Desiccated thyroid preparations historically supplied thyroxine from which animal gland?
- Porcine (pig) thyroid glands
- Fish swim bladder
- Leech salivary glands
- Avian bone marrow
Correct Answer: Porcine (pig) thyroid glands
Q14. Gelatin used for hard and soft capsules is derived mainly from:
- Bovine and porcine collagen (skin and bones)
- Synthetic cellulose
- Plant polysaccharides
- Mineral waxes
Correct Answer: Bovine and porcine collagen (skin and bones)
Q15. The discovery leading to ACE inhibitors was inspired by peptides from which animal venom?
- Bothrops jararaca (Brazilian pit viper)
- Honeybee
- Cone snail
- King cobra
Correct Answer: Bothrops jararaca (Brazilian pit viper)
Q16. An advantage of animal-derived drug sources compared to early synthetic methods is that they often provide:
- Complex biologically active molecules similar to human proteins
- Guaranteed absence of immune reactions
- Infinite uncontested supply
- Lower regulatory scrutiny
Correct Answer: Complex biologically active molecules similar to human proteins
Q17. Which regulatory concern is particularly important for animal-origin pharmaceuticals?
- Transmission of zoonotic agents and prions
- Excessive chemical purity beyond requirement
- Automatic exemption from clinical trials
- Guaranteed bioequivalence with synthetic drugs
Correct Answer: Transmission of zoonotic agents and prions
Q18. Squalene, used as a vaccine adjuvant, is commonly sourced from:
- Shark liver oil
- Porcine intestinal mucosa
- Sheep wool
- Avian egg white
Correct Answer: Shark liver oil
Q19. An antitoxin is best described as:
- Antibody-containing serum produced in animals against specific toxins
- A small synthetic molecule that neutralizes acids
- A plant alkaloid that blocks enzymes
- An inorganic chelator used in metal poisoning
Correct Answer: Antibody-containing serum produced in animals against specific toxins
Q20. To reduce immunogenicity and adverse reactions, animal-derived antivenoms are often processed to yield:
- F(ab’)2 fragments of immunoglobulin
- Whole immunoglobulin with intact Fc only
- Unfractionated serum proteins
- Complete bacterial endotoxins
Correct Answer: F(ab’)2 fragments of immunoglobulin
Q21. Which proteolytic enzyme used in topical or wound care is typically sourced from porcine pancreas?
- Trypsin
- Amylase
- Cellulase
- Lysozyme
Correct Answer: Trypsin
Q22. Oxytocin, a hormone initially isolated from animal posterior pituitary, is primarily involved in:
- Uterine contraction and milk ejection
- Lowering blood glucose
- Raising thyroid hormone levels
- Anticoagulation
Correct Answer: Uterine contraction and milk ejection
Q23. Cod liver oil, an animal-derived source, is rich in which vitamins used therapeutically?
- Vitamins A and D
- Vitamin C only
- Vitamin B12 only
- Vitamin K only
Correct Answer: Vitamins A and D
Q24. A principal ethical issue in sourcing drugs from animals is:
- Animal welfare and humane treatment during harvesting
- Guaranteed unlimited supply for production
- Intrinsic superiority over synthetic products
- Automatic patient acceptance
Correct Answer: Animal welfare and humane treatment during harvesting
Q25. Historically, which animal was commonly used to produce diphtheria and tetanus antitoxins?
- Horse
- Mouse
- Chicken
- Sheep wool
Correct Answer: Horse
Q26. Which of the following drugs is NOT derived from animal sources?
- Penicillin
- Insulin (porcine)
- Heparin
- Calcitonin (salmon)
Correct Answer: Penicillin
Q27. Which sterilization concern is most relevant when processing animal-derived protein drugs?
- Heat sterilization can denature proteins and inactivate the drug
- Heat sterilization always improves protein activity
- All proteins are fully stable at autoclave temperatures
- No sterilization is required for biologicals
Correct Answer: Heat sterilization can denature proteins and inactivate the drug
Q28. Biological standardization for animal-derived products typically involves:
- Bioassays to determine potency and activity
- Only elemental analysis for metals
- Assuming all batches are equivalent without testing
- Visual inspection only
Correct Answer: Bioassays to determine potency and activity
Q29. The analgesic peptide ziconotide is a synthetic form of a peptide originally isolated from which marine animal?
- Cone snail (Conus magus)
- Blue whale
- Sea cucumber
- Octopus
Correct Answer: Cone snail (Conus magus)
Q30. Which processing step is commonly employed to decrease Fc-mediated immunogenicity of animal-derived therapeutic antibodies and antisera?
- Removal of Fc region to produce F(ab’)2 or Fab fragments
- Adding intact Fc to increase size
- Heating to high temperatures to expose Fc
- Mixing with plant extracts to mask Fc
Correct Answer: Removal of Fc region to produce F(ab’)2 or Fab fragments
I am a Registered Pharmacist under the Pharmacy Act, 1948, and the founder of PharmacyFreak.com. I hold a Bachelor of Pharmacy degree from Rungta College of Pharmaceutical Science and Research. With a strong academic foundation and practical knowledge, I am committed to providing accurate, easy-to-understand content to support pharmacy students and professionals. My aim is to make complex pharmaceutical concepts accessible and useful for real-world application.
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