Agonist vs. Antagonist
Main DifferenceBoth the words, Agonist and Antagonist are antonyms of each other, which are widely used in field of anatomy, biochemistry and even in literature. Although their meanings or expression vary in each of the field, but it can easily differentiate between both the terms as they are exactly opposite to each other. If one produces action, the other one opposes this action. In terms of biology, agonist and antagonist are the muscles that generally exist in pairs; bicep and tricep are one of the prominent examples of such muscles as one relaxes and the other contracts at the same time, and when one contracts the other relaxes. The term Agonist is derived from the Latin word agnista, which means 'contender', whereas term Antagonist has been derived from Latin and Greek words antagonista and antagonistes respectively, which means 'competitor, rival or opponent.'
Difference Between Agonist and Antagonist
Agonist vs. Antagonist
The term Agonist is derived from the Latin word agnista, which means 'contender', whereas term Antagonist has been derived from Latin and Greek words antagonista and antagonistes respectively, which means 'competitor, rival or opponent.'
Agonist vs. Antagonist
'Agonist' is a muscle that is held responsible for the contraction in the body, whereas 'Antagonist' is referred as the muscle which gets relaxed due to the contraction in agonist muscle.
Agonist vs. Antagonist
Agonist drugs imitates the effects of neurotransmitters in the human brain, whereas 'Antagonist' drug block the brain’s neurotransmitters.
Agonistnoun
Someone involved in a contest or battle (as in an agon), protagonist.
Antagonistnoun
An opponent or enemy.
Agonistnoun
The muscle that contracts while the other relaxes.
When bending the elbow, the biceps is the agonist.Antagonistnoun
One who antagonizes or stirs.
Agonistnoun
A molecule that can combine with a receptor on a cell to produce a physiological reaction.
Acetylcholine is an agonist at the cholinergic receptor.Antagonistnoun
(biochemistry) A chemical that binds to a receptor but does not produce a physiological response, blocking the action of agonist chemicals.
Agonistnoun
the principal character in a work of fiction
Antagonistnoun
(authorship) The main character or force opposing the protagonist in a literary work or drama.
Agonistnoun
someone involved in a contest or battle (as in an agon)
Antagonistnoun
(anatomy) A muscle that acts in opposition to another.
A flexor, which bends a part, is the antagonist of an extensor, which extends it.Agonistnoun
a muscle that contracts while another relaxes;
when bending the elbow the biceps are the agonistAntagonistnoun
someone who offers opposition
Agonistnoun
(biochemistry) a drug that can combine with a receptor on a cell to produce a physiological reaction
Antagonistnoun
a muscle that relaxes while another contracts;
when bending the elbow the triceps are the antagonistAntagonistnoun
a drug that neutralizes or counteracts the effects of another drug
Comparison Chart
| Agonist | Antagonist |
| The term Agonist is derived from the Latin word agnista, which means 'contender'. | Antagonist has been derived from Latin and Greek words antagonista and antagonistes respectively, which means 'competitor, rival or opponent.' |
| In terms of Anatomy | |
| 'Agonist' is a muscle that is held responsible for the contraction in the body. | Antagonist' is referred as the muscle which gets relaxed due to the contraction in agonist muscle. |
| In terms of Pharmacology | |
| Agonist drugs imitates the effects of neurotransmitters in the human brain. | 'Antagonist' drug block the brain’s neurotransmitters. |
What is Agonist?
As mentioned above the word ‘agonist’ has diverse meaning in different fields it is used. Generally speaking it is always the opposite of ‘antagonist’ in around every of the world. The term’ agonist’ is widely used in field of anatomy, biochemistry, pharmacology and even in literature. To know the major usage and meaning of this term, one needs to know about the word with respect to these some of the important fields.
In terms of Biology or Anatomy
‘Agonist’ is a muscle that is held responsible for the contraction, which helps the body to move.
In terms of Biochemistry
An ‘Agonist‘ is a chemical that brings out the biological response with binding to a receptor.
In terms of Pharmacology
Agonist drugs imitates the effects of neurotransmitters in the human brain. These agonist drugs can mainly be divided into two categories: direct-binding agonists and indirect-acting agonists.
In terms of Literature
In literature agonist refers to the protagonist, which is the lead character of any play, novel or film.
What is Antagonist?
Antagonist and agonist are the antonyms of each other, if agonist refers to the action, the antagonist refers to the opposite action as of the agonist. To know the major usage and meaning of this term, one needs to know about the word with respect to these some of the important fields.
In terms of Biology or Anatomy
‘Antagonist’ is referred as the muscle which gets relaxed due to the contraction in agonist muscle.
In terms of Biochemistry
Antagonist is the chemical that binds with a receptor inhibits or interferes with the physiological response of agonist.
In terms of Pharmacology
‘Antagonist’ drug block the brain’s neurotransmitters. They can mainly be divided into two types: direct-acting antagonists and indirect-acting antagonists
In terms of Literature
The villain or the enemy in the play, novel or film that, which comes against the protagonist is called the antagonist.
