Wk 3 BB

Question 1

Drug effects

Answer 1

The changes a drug produces in an animal’s physiological
processes and behavior. In the nervous system, most drugs affect
synaptic transmission.

Question 2

Antagonist

Answer 2

A drug that opposes or inhibits the effects of
a particular neurotransmitter on the postsynaptic cell.

Question 3

Agonist

Answer 3

A drug that facilitates the effects of
a particular neurotransmitter on the postsynaptic cell.

Question 4

sites of action

Answer 4

location where molecules of drugs interact woth molecules on or in cells of the body, thus affecting some biochemical processes of these cells

Question 5

main sites of action of drugs

Answer 5

1. Production of neurotransmitters
2. Storage and release of neurotransmitters
3. Effects on receptors
4. Effects on reuptake

Question 6

Direct agonist/antagonist

Answer 6

A drug that binds with and activates a
receptor. This drug mimics the effects
of a neurotransmitter

Question 7

Indirect agonist/antagonist

Answer 7

A drug that attaches to a binding site
on a receptor and facilitates the action
of the receptor; does not interfere with
the binding site of the principal
neurotransmitter.

Question 8

Both types of drugs prolong the presence of the neurotransmitter in the
synaptic cleft (and hence in a location where they can stimulate
postsynaptic receptors), they serve as_____

Answer 8

agonists.

Question 9

In the brain most synaptic communication is accomplished by two neurotransmitters:

Answer 9

1. with excitatory effects (glutamate)- the driving force of the brain
2. with inhibitory effects (GABA or glycine - spinal cord) - The breaks of the brain

Question 10

Nocebo Effect

Answer 10

People can feel worse after an intervention
that should have no ill effects

Question 11

Acetylcholine - ACh

Answer 11

The primary neurotransmitter secreted by the efferent axons of the CNS

All muscular movement is accomplished by the release of acetylcholine

ACh is involved in regulating REM sleep - dreaming (doroslateral pons),
perceptual learning (forebrain), and memory (hippocampus).

ACh receptors: nicotinic and muscarinic

ACh found at the target of parasympathetic branch of the ANS – outside of the CNS,
first discovered neurotransmitter – the importance of Otto Loewi

The effects of ACh are generally facilitatory

Question 12

Cholinergic Synapses

Answer 12

Synapses that have acetylcholine
transmitter are called cholinergic
synapses.

Question 13

Nicotinic receptor

UNDERSTAND MORE

Answer 13

an ionotropic acetylcholine receptor
stimulated by nicotine

stimulated by nicotine and blocked by curare (paralysis).

Question 14

Muscarinic receptor

stimulated and blocked by what

Answer 14

a metabotropic acetylcholine
receptor

stimulated by muscarine and blocked by atropine.

Question 15

Atropine acts by …

Answer 15

preventing acetylcholine from
depolarising the post-synaptic membrane and
increases heart rate

Question 16

… are four neurotransmitters
that belong to a family of compounds called monoamines.

Because the molecular structures of these substances are similar, some drugs
affect the activity of all of them to some degree

Answer 16

Dopamine, norepinephrine, epinephrine, and serotonin

Question 17

Dopamine

Answer 17

The reward pathway and addiction
Natural rewards: food, water, sex, nurturing
Addiction: a state in which an organism engages in compulsive behaviour,
behaviour is reinforcing (rewarding, pleasurable), loss of control for limiting intake

Question 18

Tolerance

Answer 18

A state in which organism no
longer responds to a drug
* A higher dose is required to
achieve the same effect

Question 19

Dependence

Answer 19

A state in which organism
functions normally only in the
presence of a drug
* Manifested as physical
disturbance when the drug is
withdrawn

Question 20

_______ circuits in the brain: it is _______
to be dependent on the morphine,
without being addicted to it.

Answer 20

Different

possible

Question 21

Acetylcholine action (+ or -) and receptors

Answer 21

+/-

Nicotinic, Muscarinic

Question 22

Nigrostriatal system

Answer 22

starts in the substantia nigra
and terminates in the basal
ganglia : plays a role in the
control of movement.

Question 23

Dopamine is indeed involved in addiction, but it is not only a “pleasure chemical”.
Dopamine is involved in many brain functions – everything from

Answer 23

regulating movement to
control of attention

Question 24

Serotonin

Answer 24

• also called 5-HT
• Influences regulation of mood, control of eating, sleep, dreaming and arousal
• involved in regulation of pain.

Question 25

Serotonin is involved in the control of:
1. 2,3,4,5,6,7,8

Answer 25

1. appetite
2. sleep
3. memory and learning
4. temperature regulation
5. cardiovascular function
6. muscle contraction
7. endocrine regulation
8. depression

Question 26

Norepinephrine

/noradrenaline

Answer 26

Norepinephrine (NE) or noradrenaline is both a hormone and a
neurotransmitter.
- As a hormone, secreted by the adrenal gland, it works alongside
epinephrine/ adrenaline to give the body sudden energy in times of stress,
known as the “fight or flight” response.
Medications that inhibit reuptake of NE can effectively treat depression. In
addition, elevated NE are found in patients experiencing mania

Epinephrine (adrenaline) is a hormone secreted by the adrenal medulla;
serves as a neurotransmitter in the brain.

Question 27

GABA is used at the great majority of fast _______synapses in virtually every part of the brain.
Many sedative/tranquilizing drugs act by enhancing the effects
of ______. Correspondingly glycine is the inhibitory transmitter in the spinal cord.

Answer 27

inhibitory

GABA

Question 28

Glutamate is used at the great majority of fast __________synapses in the brain and spinal cord.
It is also used at most synapses that are “________”, i.e.
capable of increasing or decreasing in strength.
Modifiable synapses are thought to be the main memory-storage elements in the brain

Answer 28

excitatory

modifiable