Basic Science Concepts

Question 1

Substrate (or ligand)

Answer 1

A substance that creates a signal or produces an effect by binding to a receptor, enzyme, or transporter

Question 2

Endogenous

Answer 2

A substance that is produced by the body (such as a naturally-produced substrate)

Question 3

Exogenous

Answer 3

A substance that is produced outside of the body (such as a drug or other chemical)

Question 4

Agonist

Answer 4

A substance that combines with a receptor to initiate a reaction. Can be endogenous or exogenous (i.e. mimicking an endogenous substrate)

Question 5

Antagonist

Answer 5

A substance that reduces or blocks a reaction. Can be endogenous or exogenous.

Question 6

Induction

Answer 6

When a substance increases the activity of an enzyme

Question 7

Inhibition

Answer 7

When a substance decreases or blocks the activity of an enzyme