Pharmacodynamics of Tobacco and Nicotine

These flashcards cover key concepts related to the pharmacodynamics of tobacco and nicotine as presented in the lecture.

Nicotine

The only active ingredient in tobacco, functioning as a stimulant and affecting nicotinic acetylcholine receptors.

Alkaloids

Molecules that are agonists for nicotinic acetylcholine receptors, produced by various organisms for defense.

Nicotinic Acetylcholine Receptor (nAChR)

A type of acetylcholine receptor that responds to nicotine and is involved in neurotransmission.

Agonist

A substance that activates a receptor to produce a biological response.

Ion Channel

A protein structure that allows ions to pass through a membrane in response to specific signals.

Desensitized State

A state of a receptor that exhibits high affinity for nicotine, often resulting in reduced receptor response.

Alpha4 Beta2 Receptor

A subtype of nicotinic acetylcholine receptor primarily found in the central nervous system and associated with addiction.

Physiological pH

The normal pH level of the body, at which about 25% of nitrogens in nicotine are ionized.

Cystine Residues

Specific amino acids in the subunits of nicotinic acetylcholine receptors that form binding pockets for ligands.

Catecholamines

Hormones (such as adrenaline and noradrenaline) released in response to nicotine, influencing the fight-or-flight response.

Cardiovascular Emergency

A critical condition as a result of nicotine overdose, characterized by extremely high heart rate and blood pressure.

Central Nervous System (CNS)

Part of the nervous system that houses the brain and spinal cord, where specific nicotinic receptor subtypes are mainly located.

Intracellular Ion Concentration Changes

Alterations in ion concentrations inside the cell that occur when nicotinic acetylcholine receptors are activated.

Physiological Effects of Nicotine

Increased heart rate, blood pressure, gastric acid secretion, and potential for respiratory depression.

Subunit Variability

Different combinations of subunits (alpha, beta, etc.) in nicotinic acetylcholine receptors creating receptor diversity.