Biology A-Level
agonists and antagonists
What agonists and antagonists means in Biology A-Level, as defined for AQA.
Definition of agonists and antagonists
Check what you remember
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Reference: AQA
A drug that mimics the neurotransmitter triggers depolarisation and more action potentials, while one with a shape complementary to the receptor but no activating effect blocks it.
Topics that use agonists and antagonists
- Synaptic transmission (A-level only) (AQA A-Level)
Related terms
- acetylcholinesterase inhibition
- excitatory only at the neuromuscular junction
- Inhibitory synapses and hyperpolarisation
- motor end plate
- postsynaptic receptors
- shared transmission mechanism
- stating the direction of change
- summation not needed
Using agonists and antagonists in the exam
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