Receptors for Physiology

Term

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Specificity

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Terms in this set (10)

A chemical will interact only with a specific type of receptor

The ability of a chemical to interact with a receptor

Chemicals that mimic the effects of the specific chemical on receptor

Chemicals that block the effects of the specific chemical on receptor

All receptor sites in a given system are occupied.

Specificity Example

Insulin will interact with insulin receptors on hepatocytes (liver cells). Acetylcholine would not be specific for norepinephrine receptors.

Affinity Example

Insulin has high affinity for insulin receptors (the chemical and receptor bind conform or bind together well).
Carbon monoxide has 210 times the affinity for hemoglobin than oxygen.
Specificity and affinity will be related: chemicals that are specific will have good or high affinity.

Agonists Example

Terbutaline is a beta-agonist that can be used to dilate bronchioles to help treat asthma.

Antagonists Example

Propanolol is a beta blocker used in treating hypertension. Also, many pain relievers (like NSAIDs) will work as antagonists within pain pathways.

Saturation Example

If 98% of all oxygen binding sites are occupied, there is 98% hemoglobin saturation.