Introduction: The “Definition of pharmacology MCQs With Answer” is a focused learning resource for B.Pharm students covering pharmacology fundamentals and applied concepts. This concise guide emphasizes the definition of pharmacology, branches like pharmacodynamics and pharmacokinetics, ADME (absorption, distribution, metabolism, excretion), drug-receptor interactions, dose–response, therapeutic index, adverse drug reactions, and clinical relevance. Questions are designed to reinforce core terminology, mechanisms, and calculations encountered in pharmacy practice and exams. Clear answers help build accurate conceptual understanding and exam readiness. Now let’s test your knowledge with 30 MCQs on this topic.
Q1. What is the definition of pharmacology?
- The study of drug discovery only
- The study of drugs, their properties, effects, and therapeutic uses
- The study of herbal medicines exclusively
- The study of pharmaceutical marketing
Correct Answer: The study of drugs, their properties, effects, and therapeutic uses
Q2. Which branch of pharmacology studies the effects of drugs on living systems?
- Pharmaceutics
- Pharmacognosy
- Pharmacodynamics
- Pharmacokinetics
Correct Answer: Pharmacodynamics
Q3. Which term describes the study of drug absorption, distribution, metabolism, and excretion?
- Pharmacodynamics
- Pharmacokinetics
- Toxicology
- Clinical pharmacy
Correct Answer: Pharmacokinetics
Q4. What does ADME stand for?
- Absorption, Distribution, Metabolism, Excretion
- Administration, Dosing, Monitoring, Evaluation
- Absorption, Drug interaction, Metabolism, Efficacy
- Allocation, Distribution, Measurement, Elimination
Correct Answer: Absorption, Distribution, Metabolism, Excretion
Q5. Which parameter describes the fraction of an administered dose reaching systemic circulation?
- Volume of distribution
- Clearance
- Bioavailability
- Half-life
Correct Answer: Bioavailability
Q6. Which is the best definition of half-life (t1/2)?
- Time for drug dose to be absorbed completely
- Time for blood concentration to decrease by 10%
- Time for plasma concentration to decrease by 50%
- Time for drug to be excreted unchanged
Correct Answer: Time for plasma concentration to decrease by 50%
Q7. Volume of distribution (Vd) primarily reflects which concept?
- Extent of drug binding to receptors
- Extent of drug distribution between plasma and tissues
- Rate of drug metabolism by liver enzymes
- Rate of renal excretion
Correct Answer: Extent of drug distribution between plasma and tissues
Q8. Which organ is the major site for drug metabolism?
- Kidney
- Liver
- Spleen
- Pancreas
Correct Answer: Liver
Q9. Which phase of hepatic metabolism typically involves functionalization reactions (e.g., oxidation)?
- Phase I metabolism
- Phase II metabolism
- Renal phase
- Gastric phase
Correct Answer: Phase I metabolism
Q10. What is a prodrug?
- A drug that is inactive until metabolized into an active form
- A drug that is already active and not metabolized
- A drug exclusively for topical use
- A drug that causes allergic reactions
Correct Answer: A drug that is inactive until metabolized into an active form
Q11. Which term defines the intensity of drug effect at a given concentration?
- Potency
- Toxicity
- Efficacy
- Bioavailability
Correct Answer: Efficacy
Q12. Which term refers to the amount of drug required to produce a defined effect?
- Efficacy
- Potency
- Therapeutic index
- First-pass effect
Correct Answer: Potency
Q13. What does the therapeutic index compare?
- Potency versus efficacy
- LD50 to ED50 (lethal dose to effective dose)
- Absorption rate versus elimination rate
- Oral bioavailability versus IV bioavailability
Correct Answer: LD50 to ED50 (lethal dose to effective dose)
Q14. Which type of antagonist competes with an agonist at the same receptor binding site?
- Noncompetitive antagonist
- Physiological antagonist
- Competitive antagonist
- Allosteric agonist
Correct Answer: Competitive antagonist
Q15. What characterizes a noncompetitive antagonist?
- Reversible binding to the agonist site only
- Irreversible or allosteric binding reducing maximal response
- Enhancement of agonist potency
- Increases drug bioavailability
Correct Answer: Irreversible or allosteric binding reducing maximal response
Q16. Which term describes decreased response after repeated drug exposure requiring higher doses?
- Tachyphylaxis
- Tolerance
- Idiosyncrasy
- Sensitization
Correct Answer: Tolerance
Q17. Rapid desensitization to a drug over minutes to hours is called:
- Tolerance
- Tachyphylaxis
- Idiosyncrasy
- Cumulative toxicity
Correct Answer: Tachyphylaxis
Q18. Which route avoids first-pass hepatic metabolism?
- Oral
- Sublingual
- Enteric-coated oral
- First-pass is unavoidable
Correct Answer: Sublingual
Q19. Which process primarily determines renal excretion of a drug?
- Liver enzyme induction
- Glomerular filtration, tubular secretion, and reabsorption
- Gastric emptying only
- Plasma protein binding exclusively
Correct Answer: Glomerular filtration, tubular secretion, and reabsorption
Q20. Which plasma protein most commonly binds acidic drugs?
- Alpha-1-acid glycoprotein
- Albumin
- Globulin
- Hemoglobin
Correct Answer: Albumin
Q21. Which receptor theory suggests response is proportional to receptor occupancy?
- Modified occupancy theory
- Receptor reserve theory
- Classical occupancy theory
- Biophase theory
Correct Answer: Classical occupancy theory
Q22. What are spare receptors?
- Receptors present only in diseased tissues
- Excess receptors so maximal response occurs without full occupancy
- Receptors permanently blocked by antagonists
- Receptors found only in the nucleus
Correct Answer: Excess receptors so maximal response occurs without full occupancy
Q23. Which is an example of a phase II metabolic reaction?
- Oxidation by CYP450
- Glucuronidation
- Hydrolysis by esterases
- Reduction by nitroreductase
Correct Answer: Glucuronidation
Q24. Enzyme induction typically results in which effect on drug concentrations?
- Increased plasma concentration of substrate drugs
- Decreased plasma concentration of substrate drugs
- No change in concentration
- Immediate allergic reactions
Correct Answer: Decreased plasma concentration of substrate drugs
Q25. Which describes a Type A adverse drug reaction?
- Predictable and dose-related
- Unpredictable and immune-mediated
- Genetic idiosyncratic reaction
- Purely psychosomatic effect
Correct Answer: Predictable and dose-related
Q26. What is pharmacovigilance primarily concerned with?
- Drug pricing strategies
- Monitoring and prevention of adverse drug reactions
- Drug formulation manufacturing only
- Advertising of pharmaceutical products
Correct Answer: Monitoring and prevention of adverse drug reactions
Q27. Which term describes a genetically determined abnormal reaction to a drug?
- Tolerance
- Idiosyncrasy
- Synergism
- Dependence
Correct Answer: Idiosyncrasy
Q28. Which interaction results when two drugs produce a greater effect than the sum of individual effects?
- Antagonism
- Synergism
- Additive effect
- Neutralization
Correct Answer: Synergism
Q29. What is the primary effect of first-pass metabolism?
- Enhances bioavailability of all drugs
- Reduces oral bioavailability due to hepatic metabolism before systemic circulation
- Increases drug half-life substantially
- Prevents renal excretion
Correct Answer: Reduces oral bioavailability due to hepatic metabolism before systemic circulation
Q30. An inverse agonist at a receptor does what?
- Produces the same response as an agonist
- Blocks the receptor but has no intrinsic activity
- Stabilizes the receptor in an inactive conformation reducing constitutive activity
- Enhances constitutive receptor activity
Correct Answer: Stabilizes the receptor in an inactive conformation reducing constitutive activity
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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