Receptor Theory and Phamacodynamics 2011.9.13. Definition and characteristics of receptors Classification of Receptors Receptor activation and signal transduction ·Drug actions Classification of agonists and antagonists Dose-response relationship The Development of Receptor Theory Claude Bernard(1813-1878) A French physiologist,he contributed greatly to the development of experimental medicine.One of his studies was on the arrow poison curare.He asked the question of why the poison was effective when delivered by an arrow,but ineffective when taken by mouth.His work led to the understanding that the ability of a drug to elicit its effects depends on its access to a particular location.Receptor Theory and Phamacodynamics 2011.9.13. • Definition and characteristics of receptors • Classification of Receptors • Receptor activation and signal transduction • Drug actions • Classification of agonists and antagonists • Dose-response relationship The Development of Receptor Theory Claude Bernard (1813 – 1878) A French physiologist, he contributed greatly to the development of experimental medicine. One of his studies was on the arrow poison curare. He asked the question of why the poison was effective when delivered by an arrow, but ineffective when taken by mouth. His work led to the understanding that the ability of a drug to elicit its effects depends on its access to a particular location