Chapter 4: Chemical Communication in the Brain:

postsynaptic

The presynaptic neuron communicates to the __________ neuron.

postsynaptic

Neurotransmitters bind at _____________ receptors

electrical

Chemical messengers bind and cause _________ changes within the postsynaptic neuron.

neurotransmitters

Released ______________ produces signals in postsynaptic neurons by binding to receptor sites

receptors

___________ are specific for a given neurotransmitter.

postsynaptic potentials

PSPs

EPSPs

Postsynaptic depolarizations

IPSPs

postsynaptic polarizations

more

EPSPs make it ______ (more/less) likely that a neuron will fire

less

IPSPs make it ______ (more/less) likely that a neuron will fire

glutamate

Most prevalent excitatory neurotransmitter the CNS

acetylcholine

Most excitatory PSP that works with neuromuscular

GABA

Most prevalent inhibitory neurotransmitter in the CNS

reuptake

Presynaptic neuron takes it back (recycles) to use it again

enzymatic degradation

Breaks down and metabolizes the neurotransmitter so it is out of the system and cannot be used again.

neurotransmitters

Psychotropic drugs can alter the production, or terminate _______________.

can

Psychotropic drugs ______ (can/cannot) pass through the blood-brain barrier.

agonists

Psychotropic drugs that increase or facilitating the activity that occurs at the receptor site.

antagonists

Psychotropic drugs that decrease or inhibit a neurotransmitter or receptor site from doing what it’s trying to do. It can also block the formation of neurotransmitters.

cocaine

_________ is a catecholamine agonist, which is why people experience increases in energy and adrenaline.

reuptake

Cocaine blocks ________, meaning activity of the neurotransmitter is prevented from being turned off and it continues to stay in the system.

blocks

Curare is an antagonist, meaning it _______ (aids/blocks) nicotinic receptors at the neuromuscular junction. This causes paralysis.

antagonist

Botox is an ___________, meaning it blocks the release of acetylcholine at the neuromuscular junction.

drugs

Any substance that enters the body and changes functioning.

70

About ___% of those who experiment with smoking become addicted.

20

Only about ___% of attempts to stop smoking are successful.

5

__% of total people successfully stop smoking.

alcohol

__________ is a depressant and gateway drug.

ethyl

What type of alcohol is the alcohol we drink.

acetaldehyde

The liver metabolizes ethyl alcohol to _______________.

fatty

_____ food interferes with metabolism of alcohol, so it doesn’t get into the brain and it prevents you from feeling the effects of alcohol.

congeners

___________, such as bourbon and red wine lead to hangovers.

Korsakoff’s syndrome

Also called ‘wet brain’, this occurs because of a lack of nutrition. The ventricles can eventually expand and break into pieces.

cirrhosis

Breakdown of the liver.

fetal alcohol syndrome

This occurs when alcohol penetrates the placental membrane and disrupts brain development.

neuroblasts

As ___________ are developing and alcohol disrupts them from traveling to where they have be.

short

Highs from marijuana impair ______-term memory and interferes with tasks involving multiple steps.

hippocampus

Receptors for marijuana are located in the _______________.

memory

Receptors for marijuana are located in the hippocampus, which effects __________.

balance

When basal ganglia and cerebellum receptors are impacted, this results in affected __________.

kill

There are no receptors for marijuana in the medulla and brainstem, so it will not _____.

stimulants

Caffeine, nicotine, amphetamines, cocaine, crack, and MDMA are all types of ___________.

opiates

Heroin and morphine are types of ________.

endorphins

Opiates mimic _________, which indirectly releases dopamine, making the experience pleasurable.

analgesic

Opiates are _________, meaning pain relieving.

hypnotic

Opiates are _________, meaning they are sleep inducing. Time may pass and the user is unaware.

euphoria

Opiates cause __________, meaning they create a state of ecstasy or happiness.

addicts

Those who continue to use a drug despite its adverse consequences.

tolerance

Increasing amount of the drug is required to produce the same result.

withdrawal

Negative reaction that occurs when drug use is stopped.

opposite

Often, when drug use is stopped, withdrawal causes the __________ reaction of what the drug produces.

agonistic treatments

A pharmacological treatment by replacing the addicting drug with another drug that has a similar effect, but is less addictive.

antagonistic treatments

A pharmacological treatment that blocks the effect of the addicting drug.

aversion therapy

A pharmacological treatment that is used to help a person give up a behavior or habit by having them associate it with something unpleasant.