Chapter 14: Pharm

Question 1

Neuropharmacology

Answer 1

Defined as the study of drugs that alter processes controlled by the nervous system.

Question 2

Neuropharmacologic agents can be divided into two broad categories:

Answer 2

1. Peripheral nervous system (PNS) drugs
2. Central Nervous System (CNS) drugs

Question 3

Why can practically all bodily processes be influenced by drugs that alter neural regulation?

Answer 3

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Question 4

How can neuropharmacologic drugs modify diverse body processes?

Answer 4

By mimicking or blocking neuronal regulation, neuropharmacologic drugs can modify such diverse processes

Question 5

Why is our understanding of PNS pharmacology clearer than our understanding of CNS pharmacology?

Answer 5

Because the PNS is less complex than the CNS and is more accessible to experimentation.

Question 6

There are two basic steps_____ and____in the process by which the neuron influences the behavior of the postsynaptic cell.

Answer 6

1. Axonal conduction:
2. Synaptic transmission

Question 7

Axonal conduction:

Answer 7

is simply the process of conducting an action potential down the axon of the neuron

Question 8

Synaptic transmission

Answer 8

is the process by which information is carried across the gap between the neuron and the postsynaptic cell.

Question 9

What does synaptic transmission require?

Answer 9

Synaptic transmission requires the release of neurotransmitter molecules from the axon terminal followed by binding of these molecules to receptors on the postsynaptic cell.

Question 10

What follows the release of neurotransmitter molecules fro the axon terminal?

Answer 10

the release of neurotransmitter molecules from the axon terminal is followed by binding of these molecules to receptors on the postsynaptic cell.

Question 11

To influence a process under neuronal control, a drug can alter one of two basic neuronal activities:

Answer 11

1. Axonal conduction

or

2. synaptic transmission

Question 12

Most neuropharmacologic agents act by altering

Answer 12

Synaptic transmission

Question 13

What kind of effects do drugs that alter synaptic transmission produce?

Answer 13

Drugs that alter synaptic transmission can produce effects that are much more selective than those produced by drugs that alter axonal conduction.

Question 14

Why does selectivity occur in synaptic transmission?

Answer 14

this selectivity can occur because synapses, unlike axons, differ from one another

Question 15

Why would we want a drug that is highly selective?

Answer 15

By using a drug that selectively influences a specific type of neurotransmitter or receptor, we can alter one neurally regulated process and leave most others unchanges

Question 16

The ability of a nueron to influence the behavior of another cell depends on:

Answer 16

the ability of that neuron to alter receptor activity on the target cell

Question 17

How do neurons alter receptor activity?

Answer 17

Neurons alter receptor activity by releasing transmitter molecules, which diffuse across the synaptic gap and bind to receptors on the postsynaptic cell.

Question 18

What happens if the target cell lacked receptors for the transmitter that a neuron released?

Answer 18

If the target cell lacked receptors for the transmitter that a neuron released, that neuron would be unable to affect the target cell.

Question 19

**The impact of a drug on a neuronally regulated process is dependent

Answer 19

on the ability of that drug to directly or indirectly influence receptor activity on target cells**

Question 20

Steps in Synaptic Transmission

Answer 20

1. Transmitter synthesis
2. Transmitter Storage
3. Transmitter Release
4. Receptor Binding
5. Termination of Transmission