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A drug that functions as an agonist activates a receptor, helping a neurotransmitter bind or triggering an action potential in some other way?

1) blocks a receptor so that the neurotransmitter cannot bind.
2) relieves pain.
3) adds receptors to cells.
4) activates a receptor, helping a neurotransmitter bind or triggering an action potential in some other way.
5) causes great pain if taken in too high a dose.

User Carrosive
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1 Answer

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Final answer:

An agonist is a drug that activates a receptor, helping a neurotransmitter bind or triggering an action potential in some other way. They can increase the activity of specific neurotransmitters. For example, GABA agonists increase the activity of GABA receptors in the brain.

Step-by-step explanation:

An agonist is a drug that activates a receptor, helping a neurotransmitter bind or triggering an action potential in some other way.

For example, consider the neurotransmitter GABA, which normally has an inhibitory effect on cells. GABA agonists, such as ethanol, barbiturates, and benzodiazepines, increase its activity by promoting the activity of GABA receptors in the brain.

This is opposite to an antagonist, which blocks or impedes the normal activity of a neurotransmitter at the receptor site.

User John Fawcett
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