MCPHS – PHARMACOLOGY VERIFIED STUDY GUIDE
Pharmacodynamics - Answers - The effects of the drugs on the body
Receptor - Answers - A molecule to which a drug binds to bring about a change in
function of the biologic system
Receptor site - Answers - Specific region of the receptor molecule to which the drug
binds
Inert binding molecule or site - Answers - A molecule to which a drug may bind without
changing any function
Spare receptor - Answers - Receptor that does not bind drug when the drug
concentration is sufficient to produce max elect
Effector - Answers - Component that accomplishes the biologic effect after the receptor
is activated by an agonist (e.g. Channel or enzyme molecule)
Efficacy, maximal efficacy (Emax) - Answers - The maximum effect that can be
achieved with a particular drug, regardless of dose
Potency - Answers - The amount of drug needed to produce a given effect
EC50 - Answers - The Concentration that causes 50% of the maximum effect or toxicity
ED50 - Answers - The Dose that causes 50% of the maximum effect or toxicity
TD50 (TC50) - Answers - The median toxic Dose (or concentration), the dose
(concentration) at which toxicity occurs in 50% of cases
LD50 (LC50) - Answers - The median Lethal Dose (or concentration), the dose
(concentration) required to kill half the members of a tested population
Kd - Answers - The concentration of drug that binds 50% of the receptors in the system
Bmax - Answers - Maximal number of receptors bound
Agonist - Answers - A drug that activates its receptors upon binding
Partial Agonist - Answers - A drug that binds to its receptor but produces a smaller
effect at full dosage than a full agonist
Pharmacodynamics - Answers - The effects of the drugs on the body
Receptor - Answers - A molecule to which a drug binds to bring about a change in
function of the biologic system
Receptor site - Answers - Specific region of the receptor molecule to which the drug
binds
Inert binding molecule or site - Answers - A molecule to which a drug may bind without
changing any function
Spare receptor - Answers - Receptor that does not bind drug when the drug
concentration is sufficient to produce max elect
Effector - Answers - Component that accomplishes the biologic effect after the receptor
is activated by an agonist (e.g. Channel or enzyme molecule)
Efficacy, maximal efficacy (Emax) - Answers - The maximum effect that can be
achieved with a particular drug, regardless of dose
Potency - Answers - The amount of drug needed to produce a given effect
EC50 - Answers - The Concentration that causes 50% of the maximum effect or toxicity
ED50 - Answers - The Dose that causes 50% of the maximum effect or toxicity
TD50 (TC50) - Answers - The median toxic Dose (or concentration), the dose
(concentration) at which toxicity occurs in 50% of cases
LD50 (LC50) - Answers - The median Lethal Dose (or concentration), the dose
(concentration) required to kill half the members of a tested population
Kd - Answers - The concentration of drug that binds 50% of the receptors in the system
Bmax - Answers - Maximal number of receptors bound
Agonist - Answers - A drug that activates its receptors upon binding
Partial Agonist - Answers - A drug that binds to its receptor but produces a smaller
effect at full dosage than a full agonist
