Final answer:
The 'Effective dose - 50%' refers to the dose that results in a significant therapeutic response in 50% of the subjects, known as ED50. It is a key measure in pharmacology for determining drug efficacy and potency.
Step-by-step explanation:
The term "Effective dose - 50%" refers to D. the dose that results in a significant response in 50% of subjects. This is a measure used in pharmacology to determine the efficacy of a drug.
The effective dose at which 50% of the population experiences a significant therapeutic effect is commonly abbreviated as ED50. This metric is important in the processes of drug development and regulatory approval, as it helps to define a drug’s potency and its therapeutically effective dose range.
This concept is distinct from LD50, which denotes the lethal dose for 50% of the population, and MD50, which would be the minimal dose at which 50% of subjects respond.