question

neurochemistry

answer

focuses on the basic chemical composition and processes of the nervous system

question

neuropharmacology

answer

is the study of compounds that selectively affect the nervous system

question

EP or adrenaline

answer

chemical messenger that acts as a hormone to mobilize the body for fight or flight during times of stress and as a NT in the CNS

question

NE or noradrenaline

answer

NT found in the brain and in the PNS

question

ligands

answer

fit receptors exactly and activate or block them

question

endogenous ligands

answer

NT and hormones NT: chemical released by a neuron onto a target with an excitatory or inhibitory effect outside the CNS many of these chemicals circulate in the blood stream as hormones

question

exogenous ligands

answer

drugs and toxins from outside the body

question

Synthesis and storage of NT

answer

_ in the axon terminal--building blocks from food are pumped into cell via transporters (protein molecules embedded within the cell membrane) _ in the cell body according to instruction contained in the DNA, transported on microtubules to axon terminal

question

NT release

answer

at the terminal the action potential opens voltage sensitive Ca2+ channels, Ca2+ enters the terminal and binds to the protein calmodulin forming a complex complex causes some vesicles into empty the synapse and others get ready to empty their contents

question

receptor-site activation

answer

after being released, the NT must diffuse across the synapse and activates receptors on the postsynaptic membrane autoreceptors--"self-receptor" on the presynaptic membrane that responds to the transmitter that the neuron releases

question

inotropic receptor

answer

embedded membrane protein with 2 parts--a binding site for a NT and a pore that regulates ion flow to directly and rapidly change membrane voltage

question

metabotropic receptor

answer

embedded membrane protein with a binding site for a NT but no pore linked to a G protein that can affect other receptors or act with second messengers to affect other cellular processes

question

G protein

answer

belongs to a family of guanyl-nucleotide-binding proteins coupled to meatbotropic receptors that, when activated bind to other proteins

question

second messenger

answer

a chemical that carries a message to initiate a biochemical process activated by a NT

question

up regulation

answer

is an increase in the number of receptors

question

down regulation

answer

is a decrease in the number of receptors

question

deactivation of the NT

answer

diffusion away from synaptic cleft degradation by enzymes in the synaptic cleft reuptake into the presynaptic neuron for subsequent re-use taken up by neighboring glial cells *not mutually exclusive

question

type I synapses

answer

excitatory typically located on dendrites round vesicles dense material on membranes wide cleft large active zone

question

type II synapses

answer

inhibitory typically located on cell body flat vesicles sparse material on membranes narrow cleft small active zone

question

criteria for identifying neurotransmitters

answer

the chemical must be synthesized in the neuron or otherwise be present in it when the neuron is active the chemical must be released and produce a response in a target the same responses must be obtained when the chemical is experimentally placed on the target a mechanism must exist for removing the chemical from its site of action after its work is done

question

small molecules transmitters

answer

class of quick acting NT synthesized from dietary nutrients and packaged ready for use in axon terminals ex.: ACh, DA, NE,EP, Glu, GABA, Gly, histamine

question

tyrosine hydroxylase

answer

rate-limiting factory _ restricts the rate at which all the catecholamines can by synthesized

question

amino acid transmitters

answer

glutamate-main excitatory transmitter GABA-main inhibitory transmitter

question

glutamate

answer

main excitatory transmitter cannot pass blood-brain barrier--synthesized within the cell using glutamine released by glial cells, glial cells take up released glutamate and transform to glutamine

question

neuropeptide

answer

a multifunctional chain of amino acids that act as a NT synthesized from mRNA on instructions from the cell's DNA do not bind to ion channels; do not have direct effects on the voltage of the postsynaptic membrane, act indirectly via G-protein coupled receptors

question

transmitter gases

answer

synthesized in cell as needed easily crosses cell membrane support metabolic processes

question

activating system

answer

pathway that coordinates activity through a single NT

question

somatic nervous system

answer

cholinergic

question

cholinergic neuron

answer

neuron that uses ACh as its main NT excites skeletal muscles to cause contractions ACh produced in nuclei in midbrain and basal forebrain

question

autonomic NS

answer

cholinergic neurons from the CNS control both divisions both NE and ACh have excitatory effects on some organs and inhibitory effects on others

question

CNS

answer

cholinergic dopaminergic x2 noradrenergic serotonergic cell bodies are located in a nucleus in the brainstem and their axons are distributed through a wide region of the brain

question

cholinergic system

answer

involved in attention, memory maintaining neuronal excitability--helps maintain working electroencephalographic pattern Alzheimer's disease--linked to decreased ACh synthesis, treated with acetylcholinesterase inhibitors

question

dopaminergic system

answer

mesostriatal--originates in substantia nigra, projects to striatum, maintaining normal motor behavior parkinson's disease treated with L-dopa mesolimbocortial--originates in ventral tegmentum, projects to nucleus accumbens, basal forebrain, frontal cortex, reward, motivation, addiction increased DA= schizophrenia decreased DA= ADHD, treat with DA stimulants

question

noradgrenergic system

answer

originates in locus coeruleus, projects throughout cortex emotion decreased NE= major depression increased NE= mania

question

serotonergic system

answer

originate in raphe nuclei, project throughout brain maintaining wakefulness learning increased 5-HT= OCD decreased 5-HT= depression abnormalities in brainstem 5-HT neurons linked to sleep apnea and SIDS

question

blood brain barrier

answer

endothelial cells of the brain capillaries are surrounded by the end feet of astrocytes attached to the capillary wall, covering about 80% of it glial cells provide a route for the exchange of food and waste between capillaries and the brain's extracellular fluid

question

agonists

answer

substance that enhances the effectiveness of a NT

question

antagonist

answer

substance that blocks/decreases the effectiveness of a NT

question

drug action at synapses

answer

drugs can alter chemical processes at any of the seven major stages of synaptic transmission--synthesis, storage, release, receptor interaction, inactivation, reuptake, degradation

question

inverse agonists

answer

bind to receptor and initiates opposite effect of usual transmitter

question

competitive ligands

answer

bind to the same part of receptor molecule as endogenous ligand

question

noncompetitive ligand

answer

bind to modulatory sites that are not part of the receptor complex that normally binds the transmitter

question

efficacy

answer

is that ability of a bound ligand to activate the receptor partial agonists produce a medium response regardless of dose

question

dose-response curve, ED50

answer

is a graph of the relationship between drug doses and the effects the does ate which the drug shows half of its maximal effect is the _ a drug that has comparable effects at lower doses is more potent

question

therapeutic index

answer

is the separation between the effective does and a toxic one drugs with wider _ are safer

question

tolerance

answer

decrease in response to a drug with the passage of time

question

metabolic tolerance

answer

organ systems become more effective at eliminating the drug, increase in number of enzymes used to break down substance

question

functional tolerance

answer

target tissues show altered sensitivity to the drug activities of brain cells adjust to minimize effects of the substance

question

cross tolerance

answer

response to a novel drug is reduced because of tolerance developed in response to a related drug suggests that the two drugs affect a common nervous system target

question

anxiolytics

answer

or tranquilizers are depressants--drugs that reduce nervous system activity GABA benzodiaxepines--antianxiety agents barbiturates--produce sedation and sleep, also general anesthesia, coma, death dissociate anesthetics--group of sedative-hypnotics developed as anesthetics, produce altered states and hallucinations (GHB, ketamine, date rape drugs) alcohol--similar neurochemical effects as barbiturates, GABAa receptors and increases inhibitory effect, also stimulates dopamine pathways causing euphoric effects, chronic use causes liver damage and thiamine deficiency

question

antipsychotic agents

answer

first generation--major tranquilizer, drug that blocks D2 dopamine receptor, reduce the positive symptoms of schizophrenia, produce symptoms of parkinson's disease second generation-weakly block D2 receptors but also block serotonin 5-HT2 receptors, reduce negative symptoms, affect motivation and reduce agitation but may result in weight gain

question

dopamine hypothesis of schizophrenia

answer

proposal that schizophrenia symptoms are due to excess activity of the NT _ evidence--antipsychotic drugs block D2 receptors, amphetamine promotes release of _ and can produce symptoms similar to schizophrenia

question

antidepressants

answer

MAO inhibitors--block the enzyme MAO from degrading NT such as dopamine, NE, and 5-HT tricyclic _--first generation _ with a chemical structure characterized by 3 rings that block 5-HT reuptake transporter proteins second-generation _--action is similar to first generation but is more selective, SSRIs, block the reuptake of serotonin into the presynaptic terminal

question

mood stabilizers

answer

used to treat bipolar disorder mutes the intensity of one pole of the disorder thus making the other pole less likely to recur mechanism is not well understood--lithium may increase serotonin release, valproate may stimulate GABA activity

question

opioid

answer

compound that binds to a group of brain receptors also sensitive to morphine 2 natural sources-- opium used for thousands of years to produce euphoria, analgesia, sleep, and relief from diarrhea and coughing, the brain--peptides in the body that have opioid like effects are collectively called endorphins

question

endorphin

answer

peptide hormone that acts on a NT and may be associated with feelings of pain or pleasure 3 classes--endomorphins, enkephalins, dynorphins

question

opioid analgesic

answer

drugs with sleep-inducing and pain-relieving properties codeine morphine some synthetic _ prescribed for clinical use in pain management are hydromorphone, levorphanol, methadone competitive inhibitors can be used to treat opioid addiction after the person has recovered from withdrawal symptoms--nalorphine and nalozone _ ingestion produces relaxation, sleep, euphoria, constipation, respiratory depression, decreased blood pressure, pupil constriction, hypothermia

question

heroin

answer

an opiate drug synthesized from morphine more fat soluble and penetrates the BBB faster than morphine, therefore produces very rapid pain relief

question

psychotropics

answer

behavioral stimulants affect motor activity and mood psychedelic and hallucinogenic stimulants affect perception and produce hallucinations general stimulants mainly affect mood

question

behavioral stimulants

answer

increase motor behavior and elevate a person's mood and level of alertness rapid administration of _ is most likely to be associated with addiction

question

cocaine

answer

obtained from the leaves of the coca plant blocks dopamin reuptake powder is snorted or injected derivates such as novocaine are used as local anesthetics--reduce cell's permeability to Na+ thereby reducing nerve conduction

question

amphetamine

answer

dopamine agonist--blocks dopamine reuptake transporter, leaving more dopamine available at the synaptic cleft, stimulates release of dopamine from presynaptic membrane both mechanisms increase the amount of DA available in synapses to stimulate DA receptors some uses--initially an asthma treatment, study aid, improvement of alertness and productivity, weight-loss aid

question

methamphetamine

answer

relatively inexpensive, yet potentially devastating neurotoxic--causes brain damage with prolonged use, damages both DA and 5HT neurons

question

general stimulatns

answer

drugs that cause a general increase in the metabolic activity of cells caffeine--inhibits the enzyme that normally breaks down the second messenger cyclic AMP, increase in cAMP leads to an increase in glucose production within cells, which makes more energy available and allows for higher rates of cellular activity, blocks the effect of adenosine an endogenous neuromodulator that normally inhibits catecholamine release

question

psychedelics

answer

alter sensory perception and cognitive processes and can produce hallucinations ACh- atropine, nicotine NE- mescaline HT5- LSD, psilocybin, ecstacy Anandimide- THC Glutamate- PCP, ketamine

question

hallucinogens

answer

LSD, mescaline, magic muschrooms have visual effects have diverse neural action including those on NE, HT5, ACh and opiate systems many have potential clinical uses for treatment of mental health disorders--OCD, anxiety, depression, PTSD

question

ACh psychedelics

answer

either block or facilitate transmission of ACh synapses nicotine--increases heart rate, blood pressure, hydrocholiric acid secretion, and bowel activity, acts as an agonist on nicotinic ACh receptors in the body and brain, rewarding effects are mediated by receptors in ventral tegmnetal area

question

NE psychedelics

answer

mescaline produces pronounced psychic alterations, including a sense of spatial boundlessness and visual hallucinations

question

serotonin psychedelics

answer

LSD and psilocybin stimulate some HT5 receptors ecstasy elevates _ concentrations by blocking reuptake and stimulating release chronic use can cause depression, memory disturbances and alters the structure and function of _ neurons

question

endocannabinoids

answer

homologs of marijuanna produced in the brain--acts as retrograde messengers and may influence NT release from the presynaptic neuron

question

Anandomine psychedelics

answer

alters memory formation, stimulates appetite, reduces pain sensitivity, protects from excitotoxic brain damage, lowers blood pressure, combats nausea, lowers eye pressure from glaucoma 2 cannabinoid receptors (metabotropic)-- CB1 only in the CNS, CB2 prominent in the immune system

question

glutamate psychedelics

answer

PCP and ketamine can produce hallucinations and out of body experiences they exert part of their action by blocking glutamate NMDA receptors involved in learning many _ like substances kill neurons--influx of Ca2+ into the cell which through second messengers activates a suicide gene leading to apoptosis

Neuro Chemistry – Flashcards

Unlock all answers in this set

Haven't found what you were looking for?

Search for samples, answers to your questions and flashcards