Pharmacodynamics Basics

Pharmacodynamics is the quantitative and qualitative study of how drugs interact with chemically sensitive sites.

Chemically sensitive sites are regions on an endogenous molecule, usually a protein, to which drugs can bind and modify its function.

Binding is determined by the receptor shape and charge, as well as the 1o, 2o, 3o, and 4o structure of the receptors.

<p>Traditionally, and for most drugs in clinical use, the active agent of a drug is a small molecule.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>In this context, ‘small’ means much smaller than a protein, and commonly smaller than a polypeptide.</p> Signup and view all the answers