Exam Three Flashcards

Pharmacokinetics

the study of what the body does to a drug

Pharmacodynamics

study of the physiological and biochemical interaction of drug molecules with their target tissue (receptor)

the study of what a drug does to the body

Central Nervous System (CNS)

brain and spinal cord

Peripheral Nervous System (PNS)

sensory nerves, motor nerves, and autonomic nervous system

everything else

Sympathetic Nervous System

part of the PNS and autonomic nervous system

fight or flight

Parasympathetic Nervous System

part of the PNS and autonomic nervous system

maintains homeostasis

rest and digest

Neurons

specialized cells that transmit nerve impulses

larger cells in nervous system

Glia

help neurons do their job more effectively and efficiently

more numerous in nervous system

multiple types (astrocytes, microglia, schwann cells, and oligodendrocytes)

may be able to signal to each other and be involved in conciousness

may play a role in schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, endocannabinoid signaling, and addiction

Astrocytes

type of glial cell

provide structural support, maintain ionic and chemical environment, store nutrients to provide energy for neurons, perform gliosis, regulate CNS blood flow, and coordinate reciprocal glia-neuron activity

Microglia

type of glial cell

perform phagocytosis and provide immune system function

Schwann Cell

type of glial cell

form myelin sheath on a single axon in the PNS, release growth factors following neuron damage, and provide a channel to guide axons to targets

Oligodendrocytes

type of glial cell

form myelin sheaths on multiple axons in the CNS and inhibit regrowth of axons following neuron damage

Soma

cell body (where nucleus and DNA are)

where most of the day to day metabolic activity of the cell occurs

receives information (neurotransmitter receptors)

Dendrites

extend from the cell body

receives information (neurotransmitter receptors)

Axon

usually one per neuron, may branch but not a lot and at a significant distance from cell body

send the electrochemical signal (action potential) at 224-240 mph

inside myelin sheath

can be short or long and keep diameter for entire distance

Myelin Sheath

cover the axon to allow it to send signals faster

there are multiple disorders of it

can be regrown

White Matter Diseases

diseases of the myelin sheath

MS is an example

Multiple Sclerosis (MS)

autoimmune disorder where the immune system attacks myelin

white matter disease

challenging to diagnose because there are a lot of things that look like it and the problems depend on where demyelination occurs

treated with drugs that suppress the immune system

Terminal Buttons/Presynaptic Nerve Terminals

where neurotransmitters are released

information sending part of a neuron

Neurogenesis

formation of neurons, particularly adult ones

in certain places, the adult brain can make more neurons

depression has been linked to lack of this and some drugs promote it

Neuroplasticity

the ability of our neurons to rewire and make new and different connections

we used to think this was fixed in place

Neuromodulators/Neuropeptides

may enhance, reduce, or prolong the action of a neurotransmitter

volume transmission

Classical Neurotransmitters

chemicals released between synapses

100+ identified in the brain

effects restricted to a single synapse

Synapse

point of communication between cells

most psychoactive drugs work by altering neurotransmission here

three different types

Non-Classical Neurotransmitters

made by enzymes in the postsynaptic cell and affect the activity of the presynaptic cell

gas transmitters and endocannabinoids

Volume Transmission

diffuse away from the site of release to influence other cells

Hormones

released from glands into the blood stream and carried to many different parts of the body

produce more global effects

Axodendritic Synapses

axon links to dendrite

most cells

Axosomatic Synapses

axon links to soma

common

Axoaxonic Synapses

axon links to other axon

Chemical Events at the Synapse

synthesis of NTs by neurons

transportation of some NTs to nerve terminals

storage of NTs in synaptic vesicles

release of NTs from nerve terminal after action potential

NTs diffuse across synapse and bind reversibly to receptors

Inactivation of neurotransmitters

Ligand

molecule that binds to a receptor with some selectivity