n. a substance that has a molecular structure that is so similar to that of another natural substance required for physiological functioning that it may be accepted by the body as the required molecule. The result is a disrupting of a normal metabolic process. For example, the anticoagulant bishydroxycoumarin interferes with vitamin K in producing the blood-clotting agent prothrombin, which causes complications.
ANTIMETABOLITE: “An antimetabolite mimics the structure and function of a natural molecule, which can cause difficulties with the metabolic process.”