Measurement and observation

Measurement and observation are the key to scientific work. When observing the responses in these exercises remember that size is not everything! Form and shape, slope and time course may also be important.

Much of measurement in pharmacology is about how drugs induce changes in certain parameters.

Measurements must be made with an appropriate accuracy.

Report writing

You are usually required to write reports according to a defined format. Your tutor may provide specific instructions about the style of report required. If not the following guidelines may be helpful.

1. Structure
2. Presentation
3. Be concise
4. Be consistent
5. Take care with detail
6. Be neat and tidy
7. Remember the scientific method

Drug doses

In the following exercises note that doses are expressed in nmol/kg rather than mg/kg. This better measures the number of active molecules of the drug in a dose and is independent of the salt used. This can make quite a difference; 10 mg of adrenaline hydrochloride (MW=219) contains nearly one and a half times as much adrenaline as does 10 mg of adrenaline hydrogen tartrate dihydrate (MW=333).