PSYC 115 Drugs and Behavior Exam Review

Flashcards created to aid in studying for the PSYC 115 Drugs and Behavior exam, covering key terms and concepts discussed in class.

What is the definition of a drug?

Any substance that alters physiology of the body that is not a food or nutrient.

What does pharmacodynamics refer to?

The body's biological response to drugs.

What does pharmacokinetics refer to?

The movement of drugs through the body.

What is the Therapeutic Index (TI)?

The ratio of the lethal dose (LD50) to the effective dose (ED50); a higher TI indicates a safer drug.

What are primary effects of a drug?

The reason the drug is taken, such as pain relief from Advil.

What are side effects of a drug?

Effects that aren’t directly related to the reason for taking the drug, such as Advil being anti-inflammatory.

What is first pass metabolism?

The process where drugs entering through the digestive system are metabolized by the liver before entering systemic circulation.

What is the purpose of dosage in medication?

To keep drug effects consistent across different body weights, calculated as mg/kg.

What are illicit drugs?

Drugs that are illegal to use or possess.

What is the difference between agonists and antagonists?

Agonists activate receptors, while antagonists block or inactivate receptors.

What are some routes of parenteral administration?

Intravenous (IV), intramuscular (IM), and subcutaneous (SC).

What is the blood-brain barrier?

A lipid layer that protects the brain from some substances; only lipid-soluble drugs can penetrate it.

What is drug tolerance?

A decrease in the effectiveness of a drug after repeated use.

What is a drug interaction?

The modification of the effect of one drug by another drug.

What is LD50?

The dose of a drug that kills 50% of the subjects.

What does 'exogenous' mean?

Substances that come from outside the body.

What does 'endogenous' mean?

Substances that are produced within the body.

How does lipid solubility affect drug absorption?

The more lipid-soluble a drug is, the more readily it is absorbed into the bloodstream.

What is the key outcome of the Thalidomide incident?

The need for rigorous testing of drugs prior to approval due to its disastrous side effects during pregnancy.

What are metabolites?

The products of metabolism, often less active or less toxic than the original substance.

What role do enzymes play in drug metabolism?

Enzymes break down drugs, making them more useful and less toxic.