Module 4 - Pharmacodynamics

Question 1

Agonist (PD)

Answer 1

Molecule that binds to a receptor and causes a response.

Drugs that produce a change in the cell functioning

Question 2

Allosteric site

Answer 2

A site that allows molecules to either activate or inhibit (or turn off) enzyme activity.

Question 3

Antagonist (PD)

Answer 3

Molecule that binds to a receptor and blocks the response.

Drugs that stop a normal function of the cell

Question 4

Dose-Response Curve

Answer 4

Graph (Response vs. log10 Dose). Simply put, as the dose of drug increases, the response should increase.

• Dose-response curve: related a drug’s dose to the response
• Y-axis: % Response (Calculated as: Effect/Maximal Effect)
• X-axis: Dose (Linear or Semilogarithmic)

Question 5

E-max

Answer 5

Maximum effect a specific drug has (it’s a value specific to every drug)

Question 6

ED-50

Answer 6

The median effective dose, or the dose which produces a response in 50% of subjects.

Question 7

Endogenous

Answer 7

Molecule produced by the body.

Question 8

Exogenous

Answer 8

Molecule introduced into the body

Question 9

Full agonist

Answer 9

A molecule or drug that can cause a FULL or MAXIMAL response.

Question 10

Ligand

Answer 10

Molecule that binds to a target.

Question 11

Mechanism of Action

Answer 11

How a drug produces its effects

Question 12

Orthosteric site

Answer 12

A site of a receptor in which the endogenous ligand binds to produce its effects.

Question 13

Partial agonist

Answer 13

A molecule or drug that provokes a response but less than 100%.

Question 14

Potency

Answer 14

The potency of a drug refers to the dose (actual the molar concentration) required to produce a specific intensity of effect.

Question 15

Site of action

Answer 15

A location where a drug exerts its effects

Question 16

Specificity

Answer 16

The ability of a drug to bind to a SPECIFIC receptor (because of molecular interactions between the ligand and the receptor).

Question 17

Target

Answer 17

A molecule or molecular structure, such as a protein or a nucleic acid, that a drug or other compound interacts with and has a response.

Question 18

Therapeutic Index

Answer 18

This is the ratio of toxic to effective doses at the level of 50% response:

TD-50/ED-50.

Question 19

Proteins

Answer 19

Large, complex molecules that play many critical roles in the body. They do most of the work in cells and are required for the structure, function, and regulation of the body’s tissues and organs.