Antagonism (chemistry)
Antagonism (chemistry)
Antagonism (pronunciation: an-tag-o-nizm) is a term used in chemistry and pharmacology to describe a situation where two or more agents combined have an effect that is less than the sum of their individual effects.
Etymology
The term "antagonism" comes from the Greek word "antagonistēs", which means "opponent" or "rival". In the context of chemistry and pharmacology, it refers to substances that oppose or counteract each other's effects.
Types of Antagonism
There are several types of antagonism in chemistry and pharmacology, including:
- Chemical Antagonism: This occurs when two chemicals counteract each other's effects. For example, the effect of a base is nullified by an acid, and vice versa.
- Pharmacological Antagonism: This occurs when two drugs counteract each other's effects. For example, the effect of a stimulant can be nullified by a depressant.
- Competitive Antagonism: This occurs when two substances compete for the same receptor site, and the one with the higher concentration or affinity wins.
- Non-Competitive Antagonism: This occurs when an antagonist binds to a site other than the active site, changing the shape of the receptor and preventing the agonist from binding.
Related Terms
- Agonist: A substance that initiates a physiological response when combined with a receptor.
- Receptor: A protein molecule that receives and responds to neurotransmitters, hormones, or drugs.
- Affinity: The degree to which a substance tends to combine with another.
See Also
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on Antagonism (chemistry)
- Wikipedia's article - Antagonism (chemistry)
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