Which term describes a compound that activates only a subset of a receptor's signaling pathways?

Unlock all questions

This demo includes only 20 questions. Upgrade to access hundreds of questions, flashcards, exam simulations, and disable ads.

Full question bankExam simulationsFlashcards
From $24.99Unlock all

Prepare for the Drug Action 2 Exam 1. Utilize our comprehensive quizzes, featuring flashcards and multiple-choice questions, each with hints and explanations. Ensure exam readiness!

Multiple Choice

Which term describes a compound that activates only a subset of a receptor's signaling pathways?

Explanation:
A biased agonist. In receptor signaling, a ligand can activate multiple downstream pathways. A biased agonist stabilizes a receptor conformation that preferentially engages only certain signaling routes (functional selectivity), so it triggers some pathways strongly while others are weakly or not activated. This is different from a full agonist, which tends to maximize signaling across pathways, and from an inverse agonist, which reduces constitutive activity. A partial agonist produces a submaximal response overall, not necessarily selective for particular pathways.

A biased agonist. In receptor signaling, a ligand can activate multiple downstream pathways. A biased agonist stabilizes a receptor conformation that preferentially engages only certain signaling routes (functional selectivity), so it triggers some pathways strongly while others are weakly or not activated. This is different from a full agonist, which tends to maximize signaling across pathways, and from an inverse agonist, which reduces constitutive activity. A partial agonist produces a submaximal response overall, not necessarily selective for particular pathways.

More Multiple Choice Questions
Subscribe

Get the latest from Examzify

You can unsubscribe at any time. Read our privacy policy