Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 24, 2026

A Fish-feeding Laboratory Bioassay to Assess the Antipredatory Activity of Secondary Metabolites from the Tissues of Marine Organisms
Published on: January 11, 2015
Biological responses related to agonistic, antagonistic and synergistic interactions of chemical species
T García-Barrera1, J L Gómez-Ariza, M González-Fernández
1Department of Chemistry and Materials Science, Faculty of Experimental Sciences, University of Huelva, Huelva, Spain. tamara@dqcm.uhu.es
Abstract:
The fact that the essential or toxic character of elements is species specific has encouraged the development of analytical strategies for chemical speciation over the last twenty years; indeed, there are now a great number of them that provide very good performance. However, biological systems are exposed to a complex environment in which species of elements can interact in a synergistic/antagonistic fashion. Thus, the metabolism of trace elements cannot be considered in isolation. On the other hand, biological systems are dynamic, so it is necessary to study the trafficking of species of elements between organs, tissues or cell compartments in order to decipher the biochemical processes of the interactions in which they are involved. Although the application of liquid chromatography-inductively coupled plasma-based "metallomics" methods in combination with organic mass spectrometry can provide much-needed insight, new analytical strategies are required to really understand the role of species of elements in biological systems and the mechanisms of their interactions. In the present paper, the interactions of the most widely studied elements in this context (Se, Hg and As) are discussed, as well as other important interactions between different elements.
Related Concept Videos
Agonism and Antagonism: Quantification
To quantify these effects, researchers use a dose-response curve, which provides valuable information about the potency and efficacy of a drug. Potency refers to...
Drug-Receptor Interactions
Several parameters, such as the drug's affinity for its receptor and its efficacy, which is its ability to activate the receptor, determine the drug's effect on the tissue.
Combined Effects of Drugs: Antagonism
The most common type is receptor antagonism, where one drug acts as an antagonist to block the effects of another drug by...
The Two-State Receptor Model
The binding affinity of a drug determines its interaction with one...
Drug-Receptor Interaction: Agonist
Agonists can bind to receptors in different ways. Some agonists bind directly to the receptor's active site, mimicking the endogenous ligand's action.
Introduction to Chemical Reactions
