Which term describes the study of physiological effects of drugs on the body?

The term that describes the study of physiological effects of drugs on the body is pharmacodynamics. This field focuses on understanding how drugs affect the body, including the mechanisms of action, the relationship between drug concentration and effects, and the physiological response to medication. It encompasses not just the therapeutic effects, but also the side effects and toxicities that may occur as a result of drug interactions with biological systems.

In contrast, pharmacokinetics deals with the absorption, distribution, metabolism, and excretion of drugs, essentially focusing on the drug's journey through the body rather than its effects on the body. Pharmacotherapy refers to the treatment of disease through the use of drugs but does not specifically address the physiological effects of these drugs. Pharmacogenomics is the study of how genes affect a person's response to drugs, integrating pharmacology and genomics to optimize drug therapy for individuals. Hence, pharmacodynamics is the most accurate term for studying the physiological effects of drugs on the body.