作用方式(mode of action,MoA)则是近似术语,與作用機制的区别在于:作用方式是指由於活體暴露於某種物質而導致的"细胞层面"的功能或解剖學變化。[2][20]而作用機制是一個更具體,關注藥物本身與酶或受體之間的相互作用及作用的特定形式,無論是透過抑制、活化、激動或拮抗作用。此外,"作用機制"是藥理學的主要術語,而"作用方式"更常出現在微生物學領域或生物學的某些方面。
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