Describe the differences between antagonists and agonists.

What will be an ideal response?


Drugs either facilitate or inhibit transmission at synapses. A drug that blocks a neurotransmitter is an antagonist, whereas a drug that mimics or increases the effects is an agonist. (The term agonist is derived from a Greek word meaning "contestant." The term agony derives from the same root. An antagonist is an "anti-agonist," or member of the opposing team.) A mixed agonist-antagonist is an agonist for some effects of the neurotransmitter and an antagonist for others or an agonist at some doses and an antagonist at others.

Psychology

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Psychology