The effect of a drug on target cells is known as

The effect of a drug on target cells is known as

• A. Pharmacokinetics
• B. Pharmacology
• C. Toxicodynamics
• D. Pharmacodynamics

Answer: (D)

Pharmacodynamics is the study of what a drug does to the body, especially how it acts on target cells and receptors to produce a biological response. It explains the dose–response relationship and the mechanisms of action, including receptor binding and the signaling that leads to the observed effect. This differs from pharmacokinetics, which describes how the body handles the drug (absorption, distribution, metabolism, excretion). Pharmacology is the broader field of drug actions, while toxicodynamics focuses on adverse effects. Therefore, the effect of a drug on target cells is pharmacodynamics.

Pharmacodynamics is the study of what a drug does to the body, especially how it acts on target cells and receptors to produce a biological response. It explains the dose–response relationship and the mechanisms of action, including receptor binding and the signaling that leads to the observed effect. This differs from pharmacokinetics, which describes how the body handles the drug (absorption, distribution, metabolism, excretion). Pharmacology is the broader field of drug actions, while toxicodynamics focuses on adverse effects. Therefore, the effect of a drug on target cells is pharmacodynamics.