Final answer:
Agonists and antagonists are two types of drugs that interact with receptor site proteins in the body. Agonists mimic the effects of a neurotransmitter, while antagonists inhibit a response by blocking or impeding the normal activity of the neurotransmitter.
Step-by-step explanation:
Agonists and antagonists are two types of drugs that interact with receptor site proteins in the body. An agonist is a drug that mimics the effects of a neurotransmitter at the receptor site, leading to a response. On the other hand, an antagonist is a drug that binds to the receptor site but inhibits a response, blocking or impeding the normal activity of the neurotransmitter.
For example, in the case of Parkinson's disease, a progressive nervous system disorder associated with low levels of dopamine, dopamine agonists are used as a common treatment strategy. These agonists mimic the effects of dopamine by binding to dopamine receptors and producing a similar response.