A pharmaceutical chemist synthesizes a compound that differs chemically from the molecule that binds to a specific three-dimensional site on a cellular receptor.The synthesized compound is a(n) _______ if it elicits the same biological response as its biologically active counterpart.
A) agonist
B) regulator
C) chaperone
D) antagonist
E) ligand

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

An agonist is a compound that binds to a receptor and elicits the same biological response as its biologically active counterpart. Therefore, if the synthesized compound has the same effect as the original molecule, it can be classified as an agonist. The other options do not fit this definition. A regulator is a molecule that affects the activity of enzymes or other proteins, but it may not bind to a receptor. A chaperone is a protein that assists in the folding or unfolding of other proteins. An antagonist is a molecule that blocks the action of another molecule. A ligand is a molecule that binds to a receptor, but it may not necessarily have the same biological effect as the original molecule.

A Pharmaceutical Chemist Synthesizes a Compound That Differs Chemically from the Molecule