Final answer:
The dosage form with a gelatin shell is known as a capsule, used in pharmaceuticals to deliver drugs in either powder or liquid form, and designed to control the release rate of the medication within the body.
Step-by-step explanation:
The dosage form that features a gelatin shell is known as a capsule. Capsules are a type of medication encapsulation used in pharmaceuticals to deliver drugs. They are composed of a gelatin shell that contains either a powder or a liquid form of the medication. The gelatin is made from the protein collagen derived from animals and provides a means of dosing that can also mask unpleasant tastes or odors of the medication inside. Capsules can be designed to dissolve at various times throughout the digestive system, offering a method to control the rate and location within the body where the drug is released.
This differs from gelatin desserts, which are food products and colloids, where flavors and sweeteners are dispersed in a medium of solid proteins. In contrast, the pharmacokinetics of a medication within a capsule can be engineered to enhance the drug's efficacy and tolerability in the body as seen with various drug delivery systems.