What are drugs that attract or bind to cell receptors in order to mimic or enhance activities by endogenous chemical messengers?
Added by James H.
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These substances are known as ligands, which can be natural (endogenous) or synthetic (exogenous) molecules that bind to specific receptors on the cell surface or within the cell. Show more…
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Drugs and other medicines uses the concept of signaling. Cite some drugs how they mimic natural signal molecules.
Adi S.
1. A chemical that brings about a change in biological function through its chemical actions. 2. A substance that promotes the activity of a specific regulatory system or body process. 3. A substance that acts as an inhibitor. 4. Chemically synthesized outside the body. 5. Any drug or hormone in extremely high amounts can have harmful effects. 6. Poisons that are biologically synthesized. 7. Prescribed by a doctor or other authorized health professional and it has to be dispensed from a pharmacy or from another specifically licensed place. 8. Can be bought only from pharmacies and under a pharmacist's supervision. 9. General sale medicines and pharmacy medicines. 10. Receives the agonist or antagonist molecule and sends the signal to the body system it regulates.
Syed H.
A drug that increases the release of a neurotransmitter or enhances the activity of the neurotransmitter's receptor is called an agonist, whereas a drug that inhibits the activity of the neurotransmitter at the synapse is called an antagonist. For example, cocaine can be considered an agonist at the synapse. Not all drugs are the same; that is, different drugs interact with receptors and influence synaptic activity in different ways. Some are more or less effective than others. A drug that generally struggles to bind to a receptor at first but that strongly activates the receptor if it manages to bind to the receptor can be described as follows: this drug has low affinity and high efficacy.
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