Chapter 3 Flashcards
Estimated # of neurons in the human brain?
100 billion
Estimated # of synapses?
10-100 trillion
Total electrical power generated in the brain?
20-25 wattage
intravenous?
into the vein
intramuscular?
into the muscle
subcutaneous?
underneath the skin
intranasal?
applied to the mucous membranes of the nose
sublingual?
applied under the tongue
transdermal patch?
A device attached to the skin that slowly delivers the drug through skin absorption
biotransformation?
The process of changing the molecular structure of a drug into forms that make it
easier for the body to excrete it
metabolite?
A by-product resulting from the biotransformation process
elimination half-life?
The length of time it takes for a drug to be reduced to 50% of its equilibrium level in the bloodstream
latency period?
An interval of time during which the blood levels of a drug are not yet sufficient for a drug effect to be observed
synergism?
The property of a drug interaction in which the combination effect of two drugs exceeds the effect of either drug administered alone
How do drugs enter the body?
-oral administration (by mouth)
-injection
-inhalation
-absorption through skin/membranes
potentiation?
the property of a synergistic drug interaction in which one drug combined with another drug produces an enhanced effect when one of the drugs alone would have had no effect
cross-tolerance?
a phenomenon in which the tolerance that results from the chronic use of one drug
induces a tolerance effect with regard to a second drug that has not been used before
cross-dependence?
a phenomenon in which one drug can be used to reduce the withdrawal symptoms following the discontinuance of another drug
what is diazepam?
Valium; an anti-anxiety medication
central nervous system (CNS)?
the portion of the nervous system that has the spinal cord and brain
peripheral nervous system (PNS)?
the portion of the nervous system that has nerves and nerve fibers that carry info to the CNS and outward to muscles and glands
sympathetic branch of the ANS?
the portion of the autonomic nervous system
that controls bodily changes that deal w/ stressful or emergency situations
parasympathetic branch of the ANS?
the portion of the autonomic nervous system that controls the bodily changes that lead to
increased nurturance, rest, and maintenance
neuron?
the specialized cell in the nervous system
designed to receive and transmit information
cerebral cortex?
the portion of the fore brain devoted to a high level of information processing
synapse?
the juncture between neurons. It consists of a synaptic knob, the intervening gap, and receptor sites on a receiving neuron
neurotransmitter?
a chemical substance that a neuron uses to communicate information at the synapse
reuptake?
the process by which a neurotransmitter returns from the receptor site to the synaptic knob
acetylcholine?
a neurotransmitter active in the para sympathetic ANS, cerebral cortex, and peripheral somatic nerves
norepinephrine?
A neurotransmitter active in the sympathetic ANS and in many regions of the brain
dopamine?
a neurotransmitter in the brain whose activity is related to emotionality and motor control
serotonin?
a neurotransmitter in the brain whose activity is related to emotionality and sleep patterns
GABA?
gamma aminobutyric acid; an inhibitory neurotransmitter in the brain. Antianxiety drugs tend to facilitate the activity level of GABA in the brain
glutamate?
an excitatory neurotransmitter in the brain. Glutamate receptors are associated w/ actions of PCP and ketamine and w/ feelings of drug craving
endorphins?
a class of chemical substances, produced in the brain and elsewhere in the body, that mimic the effects of morphine and other
opioid drugs
blood-brain barrier?
a system whereby some substances in the bloodstream are excluded from entering the nervous system
endocannabinoids?
Brain produced chemicals that mimic the effects of the active ingredient in marijuana and other cannabis products
nucleus accumbens?
A region in the limbic system of the brain considered to be responsible for the rewarding effects of several drugs of abuse
placebo?
Latin term translated “I will please.” Any inert substance that produces a psychological or physiological reaction.
double-blind?
A procedure in drug research in which neither the individual administering a chemical sub stance nor the individual receiving it knows whether the substance is the drug being evaluated or an active placebo
