Pharmacology Flashcards
What does pharmacodynamics refer to?
What a drug does to the body
What does pharmacokinetics refer to?
What the body does to the drug
Define ‘compound’ in pharmacology.
Endogenous or exogenous substance
What is a receptor?
Protein recognizing the presence of a compound and translating it to a biological effect
What does cell to cell signaling involve?
Receiving, processing, and transmitting signals with the environment and itself
List three examples of extracellular signals.
- Temperature
- Light
- Mechanical pressure
What is autocrine signaling?
Self stimulation
What is direct cell to cell signaling?
Targeting a cell connected by a gap junction with a channel
Define paracrine signaling.
Targeting a nearby cell without direct contact
What is endocrine signaling?
Targeting a distant cell through the bloodstream
What is an agonist?
Activates the receptor, most signaling molecules in the body
What is a partial agonist?
Activates receptors but has lesser side effects, used in conditions like schizophrenia
What is an antagonist?
Binds to receptors and blocks molecules from binding
What is a competitive antagonist?
Competes with agonist for the binding site, effect is reversible
What is a non-competitive antagonist?
Blocks the binding site without attaching to it, effect is non-reversible
Define efficacy in pharmacology.
Ability to produce an effect
What is the difference between agonist and antagonist?
Agonist activates receptors; antagonist blocks activation
Define affinity in pharmacology.
Ability to bind to the receptor
What indicates high affinity?
High association + low dissociation
What is specificity of action?
Action directly on their receptor
Define selectivity of a drug.
Acts on one target
What is the difference between orthosteric and allosteric drugs?
Orthosteric drugs bind at the active site; allosteric drugs bind elsewhere
What neurotransmitters does the sympathetic nervous system release?
Adrenaline and noradrenaline
What is the antagonist of the alpha1 receptor?
Prazosin
