Agonist – Definition & Meaning

Agonist is a term that is commonly used in the field of biology and pharmacology. It is a word that describes a substance or a molecule that binds to a receptor and activates it, producing a biological response. The term agonist is used to describe a wide range of substances, including hormones, neurotransmitters, and drugs.

Definitions

An agonist is a substance that binds to a receptor and produces a biological response. This response can be either excitatory or inhibitory, depending on the type of receptor and the agonist. An agonist can be endogenous, meaning that it is produced naturally by the body, or exogenous, meaning that it is introduced into the body from an external source.

Origin

The term agonist comes from the Greek word agon, which means “contest” or “struggle”. In the context of biology and pharmacology, the term agonist refers to the struggle between a substance and a receptor. The agonist is the substance that is trying to activate the receptor, while the receptor is the target of the agonist.

Meaning in different dictionaries

According to the Merriam-Webster dictionary, an agonist is “a chemical substance capable of combining with a specific receptor on a cell and initiating the same reaction or activity typically produced by the binding of the natural substance”. The Oxford English Dictionary defines an agonist as “a substance that activates a receptor to produce a physiological response”.

Associations

Agonists are commonly associated with drugs and medications. Many drugs are agonists that are designed to bind to specific receptors in the body and produce a desired effect. For example, opioids are agonists that bind to opioid receptors in the brain and produce pain relief and feelings of euphoria.

Synonyms

Some synonyms for agonist include activator, stimulator, and enhancer. These words all describe substances that bind to receptors and produce a biological response.

Antonyms

The antonym of agonist is antagonist. An antagonist is a substance that binds to a receptor and blocks the action of an agonist. Antagonists are often used as medications to treat conditions such as high blood pressure and anxiety.

The same root words

The root word of agonist is agon, which means “contest” or “struggle”. Other words that are derived from this root include agony, which means intense physical or mental suffering, and protagonist, which means the main character in a story or play.

Example Sentences

  1. The drug acts as an agonist, binding to the receptor and producing a biological response.
  2. The agonist hormone stimulates the release of insulin from the pancreas.
  3. The medication acts as an antagonist, blocking the action of the agonist and reducing the symptoms of the condition.
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