Essential Pharmacology Flashcards
What is a receptor?
A protein which recognises a specific compound or molecule.
What are the basic functions of receptors?
Enable specificity
Evoke an appropriate response
What is an agonist?
A compound that mimics the normal effect of a receptors
What is an antagonist?
A compound that blocks the normal action of a receptor.
What happens when the agonist concentration is increased?
More receptors become occupied so the effect increases (until it becomes saturated)
What is the affinity of a drug for a receptor?
The strength of the chemical reaction between the drug and the receptor
What does efficacy mean?
How good an agonist is at activating a particular receptor
What are the 4 types of membrane signalling receptors?
Receptors that act as ion channels
Receptors with intrinsic enzyme activity
Receptors that interact with JAK kinases
Receptors that interact with G proteins
How many spanning regions are there in a G protein?
7
What do G protein receptors do when coupled to Adenylyl Cyclase?
Increases or decreases concentration of cAMP
Activates/Inhibits PKA
What do G proteins do when coupled to Phospholipase C?
Produce diacylglycerol and inositol triphosphate
Activate PKC and release internal Calcium stores
Where are the 3 sources of intracellular calcium?
Internal stores (E.R.) Outside cell via voltage/ligand gated channels Inhibition of Calcium transport out the cell
