Match the drug to it's target and the expected physiological effect:

A) Propranolol - beta adrenoreceptor - slowed sino-atrial node conduction
B) Domperidone - histamine receptor - antiemetic
C) Aspirin - thromboxane A2 - increased platelet aggregation
D) Salbutamol - alpha adrenoreceptor - dilates bronchial smooth muscle
E) Methotrexate - DNA transcriptase - decreased nucleic acid synthesis


The answer is A, the more obvious effects of propranolol are decrease in heart rate and contracility [due to beta1 adrenoreceptors] and vasodilation [due to beta2 adrenoreceptors].

Domperidone is an antiemetic but acts on dopaminergic receptors.

Aspirin inhibits COX-1 and COX-2 which causes a decrease in prostaglandin synthesis (this is the anti-inflammatory effect of aspirin] and a decrease in thromboxane A2 [which causes a decrease in platelet aggregation].

Salbutamol is a beta2 adrenoreceptor agonist which dilates bronchial smooth muscle. [I remember where the beta adrenoreceptors are by thinking, B1 - got 1 heart, B2 - got 2 lungs].

Methotrexate does decrease nucleic acid synthesis but does so by inhibiting dihydrofolate reductase.