Pharmaceutical Chemistry Flashcards
Define an Agonist
An agonist mimics the natural compound and binds to the receptor molecules to produce a response similar to the natural active compound.
Define an Antagonist
An antagonist prevents the natural compound from binding to the receptor, and so blocks the natural response from occurring.
Define a Drug
Drugs are substances that alter the biochemical processes in the body
Other than a drug, what is a medicine usually composed of?
Fillers to add bulk or sweetners to improve the taste
Describe how drugs generally work
Work by binding to specific protein molecules.
These protein molecules can be found on the surface of a cell (receptor) or can be specific enzyme molecules within a cell.
Agonists and Antagonists are types of drugs that ……
Act on receptors
Describe enzyme inhibition in terms of drugs.
Enzyme inhibitors are drugs that act on enzymes.
They act by binding to the active site of the enzyme and blocking the reaction normally catalysed there.
What types of interactions are formed between a drug and an active site/ receptor?
Van der Vaals and/or Ionic bonds
Describe the Structural Fragment?
The structural fragment of a drug molecule allows it to form interactions with a receptor binding site or to an enzyme active site
It normally consists of different functional groups correctly orientated with respect to each other.
