Outcomes: Students must be able to demonstrate knowledge of pharmacodynamics under the following headings: • Definition • Structurally specific drugs • Structurally non-specific drugs • Receptor binding • Agonists and antagonists • Intracellular receptors • Enzyme receptors • Transport carrier receptors • Neurotransmitters

1. Pharmacodynamics/
Pharmacodynamic principles
By C Settley
Compiled by C Settley

2. Student outcomes
• Students must be able to demonstrate knowledge of
pharmacodynamics under the following headings:
• Definition
• Structurally specific drugs
• Structurally non-specific drugs
• Receptor binding
• Agonists and antagonists
• Intracellular receptors
• Enzyme receptors
• Transport carrier receptors
• Neurotransmitters
Compiled by C Settley

3. Pharmacodynamics Definition
• The physiological effects that drugs have on the
human body.
• Shows how drugs influence body functions.
• Through biochemical changes in body fluids and
tissues.
• Des ri es the drug’s e ha is of action.
• Gi es us a i di atio ho the drug’s o e tratio
(due to the dose administered) produces the
therapeutic effects (p8)
• Affinity pg 55- The degree to which drug molecules are
drawn to their receptors.
Compiled by C Settley

4. Pharmacodynamics Definition
• In other words (alternative definition):
• Psychodynamics refers to the relationship
between drug concentration at the site of
action and the resulting effect, including the
time course and intensity of therapeutic and
adverse effects.
Compiled by C Settley

5. What is a cell?
• The smallest structural and functional unit of
an organism, which is typically microscopic and
consists of cytoplasm and a nucleus enclosed
in a membrane.
Compiled by C Settley

6. Structurally specific & non-specific drugs
• A drug’s he i al stru ture determines its site
of action and how it will influence body
physiology….. THEREFORE THE
CLASSIFICATION.
Compiled by C Settley

7. Structurally specific drugs (pg 19)
• Some ligands only allow specific drugs to bind
to them.
• EG Adrenergic receptor system allows for
binding of adrenaline & noradrenaline.
• No specific site of action.
Structurally non-specific drugs (pg 19)
Compiled by C Settley

8. Receptor binding
• Receptors are found on the surface of target
cells . Three main types (pg17)
• 1) Specific Ligand receptors
– Membrane receptors & intracellular receptors
• 2) Enzyme receptors
– Competitive inhibitors & non competitive inhibitors
• 3) Transport carrier receptors
– Diffusion & active transport
Compiled by C Settley

9. Agonists & antagonists (pg 59)
• Depends on the ability of drug receptors complexes to elicit
responses.
• Agonist: a substance which initiates a physiological response
when combined with a receptor.
• Antagonist: a substance which interferes with or inhibits the
physiological action of another.
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10. The autonomic nervous system
• Has two divisions: the sympathetic division
and the parasympathetic division.
• Sympathetic division: Fight or flight.
• Parasympathetic division: Rest and digest.
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11. Neurotransmitters
• Neurotransmitters are also known as chemical
messengers and are chemicals that enable
neurotransmission.
Compiled by C Settley

12. α Adrenergic receptors
• α receptors
– α1 & α2
– β 1, β 2 & β 3
– D1-D5
– H1-H4
β Adrenergic receptors
Dopamine receptors
Histamine receptors
Compiled by C Settley

13. References
• http://slideplayer.com/slide/2304042/BIO 402/502
Advanced Cell & Developmental Biology I Section I: Dr.
Berezney.
• http://www.adrenoceptor.com/alphaintro.htm
• Read more at
http://examples.yourdictionary.com/examples-of-
catalysts.html#oE2ky9B2Rsz5kwKX.99
• Aryal, S. Antigen- Properties, Types and Determinants
of Antigenicity. 2015. Available at
http://www.microbiologyinfo.com/antigen-properties-
types-and-determinants-of-antigenicity/
Compiled by C Settley