Pharmacology Essentials Glossary
Latest.
Absorption Uptake of a drug into the bloodstream from its site of administration.
Active transport Movement of a molecule across a membrane against its concentration
gradient with energy.
Affinity Strength of drug-receptor binding.
Agonist Ligand that binds to and stimulates a receptor for a molecular response.
Anabolic reaction Synthesis of new molecules, often requiring energy.
Analgesics Drugs that alleviate pain.
Antagonist Molecule blocking a receptor to inhibit a molecular response.
Antibody Glycoprotein targeting antigens for removal in the immune response.
Anticoagulants Drugs preventing blood clotting.
Antiemetics Drugs for nausea and vomiting treatment or prevention.
Antigen Foreign substance inducing an immune response.
Area under the curve (AUC) Measure of total drug exposure in the body over time.
Astrocytes Brain glial cells contributing to the blood-brain barrier.
Basal activity Molecular response by a receptor in the absence of a ligand.
Bile Liver-produced fluid aiding fat digestion and toxin removal.
Binding curve Graph showing receptor occupancy against drug concentration.
Bioavailability Fraction of administered drug reaching systemic circulation.
Biologics Large therapeutics from natural sources.
Blood-brain barrier Protective barrier between blood and brain.
Bolus dose Single drug dose.
Catabolic reaction Molecule breakdown, often releasing energy.
, Cell-based therapy Introduction of live cells into a patient.
Cellular protein Protein within a cell or cell membrane.
Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) Clear liquid around the brain and spinal cord.
Chemical name Drug name describing its molecular structure.
Clearance Volume of plasma cleared of a drug per unit time.
Concentration gradient Difference in drug concentration across a cell membrane.
Conjugation reaction Joining a small molecule to another.
Continuous infusion Prolonged drug administration into a blood vessel.
Cytochrome P450 enzymes (CYP enzymes) Liver enzymes in drug metabolism.
Dalton (Da) Unit of mass equal to 1 gram per mole.
Distribution Movement of a drug into body tissues.
Dose-response curve Graph showing biological response against drug concentration.
Downstream signaling Cellular signaling from drug binding to its target.
Drug modalities Drug types based on size and structure.
Drug-receptor binding Formation of a drug-receptor complex.
EC50 Concentration producing 50% of maximal response.
Efficacy Maximal response by a drug at its target.
Emax Maximal response by a drug at its target.
Enteral routes of administration Administration through the GI tract.
Enzyme Protein catalyzing biochemical reactions.
Equilibrium dissociation constant (Kd) Concentration at which drug occupies 50% of
receptors.
Excretion Removal of a drug from the body.
Exponential Steady rate increase or decrease proportional to current value.
Extracellular fluid Fluid outside body cells.
Facilitated diffusion Movement across a cell membrane via protein channels.
Latest.
Absorption Uptake of a drug into the bloodstream from its site of administration.
Active transport Movement of a molecule across a membrane against its concentration
gradient with energy.
Affinity Strength of drug-receptor binding.
Agonist Ligand that binds to and stimulates a receptor for a molecular response.
Anabolic reaction Synthesis of new molecules, often requiring energy.
Analgesics Drugs that alleviate pain.
Antagonist Molecule blocking a receptor to inhibit a molecular response.
Antibody Glycoprotein targeting antigens for removal in the immune response.
Anticoagulants Drugs preventing blood clotting.
Antiemetics Drugs for nausea and vomiting treatment or prevention.
Antigen Foreign substance inducing an immune response.
Area under the curve (AUC) Measure of total drug exposure in the body over time.
Astrocytes Brain glial cells contributing to the blood-brain barrier.
Basal activity Molecular response by a receptor in the absence of a ligand.
Bile Liver-produced fluid aiding fat digestion and toxin removal.
Binding curve Graph showing receptor occupancy against drug concentration.
Bioavailability Fraction of administered drug reaching systemic circulation.
Biologics Large therapeutics from natural sources.
Blood-brain barrier Protective barrier between blood and brain.
Bolus dose Single drug dose.
Catabolic reaction Molecule breakdown, often releasing energy.
, Cell-based therapy Introduction of live cells into a patient.
Cellular protein Protein within a cell or cell membrane.
Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) Clear liquid around the brain and spinal cord.
Chemical name Drug name describing its molecular structure.
Clearance Volume of plasma cleared of a drug per unit time.
Concentration gradient Difference in drug concentration across a cell membrane.
Conjugation reaction Joining a small molecule to another.
Continuous infusion Prolonged drug administration into a blood vessel.
Cytochrome P450 enzymes (CYP enzymes) Liver enzymes in drug metabolism.
Dalton (Da) Unit of mass equal to 1 gram per mole.
Distribution Movement of a drug into body tissues.
Dose-response curve Graph showing biological response against drug concentration.
Downstream signaling Cellular signaling from drug binding to its target.
Drug modalities Drug types based on size and structure.
Drug-receptor binding Formation of a drug-receptor complex.
EC50 Concentration producing 50% of maximal response.
Efficacy Maximal response by a drug at its target.
Emax Maximal response by a drug at its target.
Enteral routes of administration Administration through the GI tract.
Enzyme Protein catalyzing biochemical reactions.
Equilibrium dissociation constant (Kd) Concentration at which drug occupies 50% of
receptors.
Excretion Removal of a drug from the body.
Exponential Steady rate increase or decrease proportional to current value.
Extracellular fluid Fluid outside body cells.
Facilitated diffusion Movement across a cell membrane via protein channels.
