PHR 911 Cells and Molecules - Lecture Overview

These flashcards cover key vocabulary terms and their definitions relevant to the lecture on receptors and their signaling mechanisms in pharmacology.

G-Protein Coupled Receptors (GPCRs)

A large family of receptors that sense molecules outside the cell and activate internal signal transduction pathways.

Ligand-gated Ion Channels

Ion channels that open or close in response to the binding of a chemical messenger (ligand).

Receptor Tyrosine Kinases (RTKs)

A class of cell surface receptors that, upon ligand binding, activate their intrinsic kinase activity, leading to autophosphorylation.

Nuclear Hormone Receptors

Intracellular receptors that, upon binding to their respective ligands, regulate gene expression.

Pharmacodynamics

The study of the effects of drugs and their mechanisms of action in the body.

Ion Channels

Proteins that allow ions to flow across cell membranes in response to specific signals.

Signal Transduction

The process by which a cellular signal is converted into a functional response.

Adenylyl Cyclase

An enzyme that converts ATP to cyclic AMP in response to an extracellular signal.

Calcium Channel

A type of ion channel that allows the passage of calcium ions across cell membranes, playing a crucial role in various cellular processes.

Biased Agonism

A phenomenon where different ligands stabilize distinct receptor conformations to produce varying functional outcomes.