Psychopharmacology Quiz Terms

A complete set of vocabulary flashcards covering the Central and Peripheral nervous systems, specific brain structures, neuron functions, neurotransmitters, and basic psychopharmacology principles based on the lecture transcript.

Central nervous system (CNS)

It is comprised of the brain and spinal cord and is the body’s main processing center.

Peripheral nervous system (PNS)

It transmits sensory and motor information between the central nervous system and the rest of the body.

Sympathetic nervous system

It triggers the "fight-or-flight" response in stressful situations.

Parasympathetic nervous system

It promotes systems to “rest and digest,” and conserves energy.

Brain stem

It controls basic bodily functions such as breathing and heart rate.

Medulla

It controls vital functions such as breathing, heart rate, and blood pressure.

Thalamus

It coordinates sensory information and relays it to the cerebral cortex.

Cerebellum

It controls voluntary movements and motor coordination.

Limbic system

It regulates emotions, memory formation, and the processing of reward.

Hypothalamus

It regulates various bodily functions, including temperature, hunger, and hormone release.

Hippocampus

It regulates emotions and memory formation.

Amygdala

It regulates emotions and memory formation, particularly fear and emotional responses.

Corpus callosum

It connects the left and right hemispheres of the brain, facilitating communication between them.

Cerebral cortex

It plays a key role in higher-order cognitive functions, such as thinking, perception, and consciousness.

Prefrontal cortex

It is involved in higher-order cognitive processes, such as decision-making, planning, and impulse control.

Frontal lobe

Associated with higher-order cognitive processes, including executive functions such as problem-solving, reasoning, and self-control.

Parietal lobe

Responsible for the coordination of sensory information, including touch, temperature, and spatial awareness.

Temporal lobe

Associated with the processing of auditory information, language comprehension, and memory.

Occipital lobe

Responsible for the processing of visual information and visual perception.

Soma

The cell body of a neuron, containing the nucleus and most of the cellular organelles.

Dendrites

Receive signals from other neurons.

Axons

The part of the neuron that carries electrical signals away from the cell body.

Synaptic cleft (synapse)

The space between two neurons where communication occurs.

Presynaptic terminal

Releases neurotransmitters into the synaptic cleft.

Postsynaptic receptors

Respond to neurotransmitters and transmit signals within the postsynaptic neuron.

Excitation

Refers to an increase in neuronal firing and communication.

Inhibition

Refers to a decrease in neuronal firing and communication.

Down regulation

Reduction in the number of receptors on the postsynaptic neuron.

Up regulation

An adjustment in the number of receptors on the postsynaptic neuron.

Agonist

A drug that binds to and activates a receptor, producing (or mimicking) a biological response.

Antagonist

A drug that binds to a receptor but blocks its activation.

Acetylcholine

Responsible for the mediation of muscle contraction, blood pressure, and parasympathetic nervous system responses to stress.

Serotonin

Responsible for the modulation of sleep, mood, sex, and appetite.

Dopamine

Responsible for the mediation of reward, motivation, and pleasure.

Norepinephrine

Regulates emotional regulation and stress responses related to our “fight or flight” mechanisms.

GABA

Responsible for the inhibition of neurotransmission and reduction of neuronal excitability.

Glutamate and aspartate

Responsible for the excitation of neuronal activity and enhancement of learning and memory.

Opioid peptides

Responsible for the inhibition of pain perception and promotion of pleasure.

Pharmacokinetics

The process by which drugs are metabolized and eliminated from the body.

Pharmacodynamics

The study of the physiological effects of drugs on the central nervous system.

Blood-brain barrier

It protects the brain from potentially harmful substances by limiting their entry into the brain.

Variability

The range of possible responses to a drug due to individual differences.

Sensitivity

The specific dosage of a drug required to produce a therapeutic effect.

Inter-subject differences

The range of possible responses to a drug due to individual differences.

Cross-tolerance

The development of tolerance to one drug leading to tolerance to another drug with a similar mechanism of action.

Drug dependence

The physical and psychological reliance on a drug to function normally.

Potentiation interaction

Occurs when the combined effect of two drugs is greater than the sum of their individual effects.

Toxicity

The potential for a drug to cause harmful or adverse effects.