What term describes a compound with a high affinity for a receptor that produces a response with full activation?

A compound that has a high affinity for a receptor and produces a response with full activation is referred to as a full agonist. This type of compound not only binds to the receptor effectively but also activates it to achieve the maximum possible effect. Full agonists are important in pharmacology because they help to understand how certain substances can completely stimulate a receptor, leading to a strong biological response.

In contrast, other terms refer to different interactions with receptors. For instance, antagonists block the receptor and prevent activation, while partial agonists activate the receptor but do so to a lesser degree than full agonists. Mixed agonist-antagonists can produce both activation and inhibition depending on the context or receptor subtype, but they do not achieve the full activation characteristic of full agonists. Therefore, identifying a compound that activates a receptor fully points specifically to the role of a full agonist.