introduction and transmission

Question 1

what are neurons?

Answer 1

building blocks of CNS

responsible for receiving, processing and transmitting information through body

from electrical impulse to chemical blip

presynaptic (message coming from) and postsynaptic (message going to) neuron

use neurotransmitters to communicate

Question 2

how many neurons are there in the average human brain and what are they responsible for?

Answer 2

roughly 86 billion

responsible for cognition, sensory processing, motor control and coordination, reflexes, heartbeat regulation, breathing, decision making

Question 3

what are neurotransmitters?

Answer 3

chemical messengers that transmit signals between neurons to other neurons across a synaptic cleft

Question 4

what are neuropeptides?

Answer 4

subsets of neurotransmitters

typically more complex and have longer lasting effects compared to traditional neurotransmittesr

Question 5

what is dopamine associated with?

Answer 5

feeling good, reward, excitement

Question 6

what drugs affect dopamine?

Answer 6

amphetamines

cocaine

Question 7

what is noradrenalin associated with?

Answer 7

alertness

awakeness

excitement

Question 8

what drugs affect noradrenalin?

Answer 8

amphetamines

cocaine

Question 9

what is serotonin associated with?

Answer 9

happiness

“love”

Question 10

what drugs affect serotonin?

Answer 10

“ecstasy” (MDMA)

Question 11

what is acetylcholine associated with?

Answer 11

focus

learning/memory

Question 12

what drugs is acetylcholine associated with?

Answer 12

nicotine

Question 13

what is an agonist?

Answer 13

typically involves binding to a receptor and activating it

mimicking a neurotransmitter

full or partial

Question 14

what is an antagonist?

Answer 14

typically involves binding to a receptor and not activating it

blocking a neurotransmitter

full or partial

Question 15

what are autoreceptors?

Answer 15

allow neuron to self-regulate releasing or not-releasing so things don’t get flooded

good way of trying to keep things in a normal range (homeostasis)

overlap function

Question 16

how can drugs hijack the chemical process?

Answer 16

serves as NT precursor

inhibit NT synthesis

prevents storage of NT in vesicles

inhibits release of NT

stimulate postsynaptic receptors

stimulates autoreceptors, inhibits release of NT

blocks autoreceptors, increases release of NT

inhibits NT degradation

blocks reuptake