Chapter 4

Question 1

Norepinephrine

Answer 1

Arise from the locus ceruleus in the brain stem.
Influences the level of arousal and attentiveness
Maintains Adequate Blood Pressure

Question 2

Serotonin

Answer 2

Arise from the brain-stem raphe nuclei and project both upward into the brain and downward into the spinal cord
May have a role in:
- Impulsivity and aggression (low levels of serotonin)
- Depression
- Food intake and weight control
- Alcohol use
Serotonin receptors play a role in the actions of some psychedelic drugs (e.g., LSD)

Question 3

Dopamine

Answer 3

“Feel good drug”
Plays a role in many differnet functions: Movement, Memory, Attention, Learning
Involved in “fight or flight”

Acts as a reward center
Made by adrenal gland

Question 4

Endorphins

Answer 4

Chemicals similar to the effects of morphine that are naturally released in the body. Help in reducing stress, relieving pain, and improving mood. Found all throughout the brain, you can get these through sexual activity, exercise, massages, etc.

Question 5

Glutamate

Answer 5

Found in most regions of the brain
* Excitatory neurotransmitter
* Can bind to 4 different receptors
* Functions: Learning and memory, Energy source for brain cells, Regulate sleep (REM)

Pain levels
* High levels = ALS, MS, stroke, autism,
OCD
* Low levels = exhaustion, insomnia

Question 6

Acetylcholine

Answer 6

excitatory neurotransmitter- regulated blood pressure and plays a role in memory. insufficiency associated with Alzheimer’s.

Question 7

GABA

Answer 7

• Also known as gamma-aminobutyric acid.
• Is an inhibitory neurotransmitter&raquo_space; slows down your brain by blocking specific signals in your CNS
• Can help reduce stress, anxiety and improve sleep
• Low levels of GABA&raquo_space; anxiety disorders, schizophrenia, autism, depression
• Examples of drugs: Xanax, Valium
• Recreational form = GHB

Question 8

Low Levels of GABA

Answer 8

anxiety disorders, schizophrenia, autism, depression

Question 9

what is a drug example of GABA

Answer 9

Xanax, Valium

Question 10

fMRI

Answer 10

Functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging
real-time information about changes in brain blood flow as an indiviudal speaks about their mood or performs behavioral/cognitaive tasks

Question 11

Autonomic nervous system

Answer 11

monitors and controls the body’s internal environment and involuntary functions, like HR & BP

Question 12

Sympathetic branch

Answer 12

“fight or flight”
EX: norepinephrine (involved in increasing heart rate)

Question 13

Parasympathetic branch

Answer 13

“rest and digest”
slows heart rate, airways constrict, increases digestion

Question 14

Somatic nervous system

Answer 14

A part of the body’s PNS is primarily associated with the voluntary control of body movements of the skeletal muscles.

Question 15

Neurons

Answer 15

primary elements of the nervous system that analyze and transmit information.

Question 16

Glial cells

Answer 16

A type of cell that provides physical and chemical support to neurons and helps maintain their environment. Located in the central nervous system & peripheral nervous system (sometimes called the glue of the nervous system). There are 3 types:
-microglia
-astrocytes
-oligodendrocytes

Question 17

PET scan

Answer 17

• A radioactively labeled chemical is injected into the bloodstream, and a computerized scanning device then maps out the relative amounts of the chemical in various brain regions.
• Provides a direct measure of brain activity and an indirect measure of potential toxicity to specific neurons

Question 18

MRI

Answer 18

Uses a high-power magnet to determine how many hydrogen atoms are in the brain. It is noninvasive and provides a high-resolution image of the brain’s anatomy.

Question 19

Agonist

Answer 19

mimics the action of neurotransmitters by activating the receptor: ozempic

Question 20

Antagonist

Answer 20

occupies the receptor and prevents the neurotransmitter from activating it.

Question 21

Endocannabinoids

Answer 21

Chemical compounds within the endocannabinoid system that are found widely distributed throughout the brain. Endocannabinoids are made in the body, phytocannabinoids are made in the cannabis plant, and synthetic cannabinoids are made in a lab. They produce similar effects as THC, and a drug currently available is Epidolex, which treats seizures.

Question 22

Homeostasis

Answer 22

maintaining the levels within our bodies in a certain range

Question 23

Does an MRI provide any information about brain function?

Answer 23

no

Question 24

Life Cycle of a Neurotransmitter

Answer 24

1. precursors are found circulating in the blood supply and the brain
2. Uptake- precursors taken up by cells
3. Synthesis- precursors synthesized into neurotransmitter by enzymes
4. Storage- neurotransmitters stored in synaptic vesicles
5. Release- by action potential; neurotransmitters released into synapse
6. Binding- neurotransmitters bind with receptors on postsynaptic cell
7. Metabolism- after signal is sent, neurotransmitters are removed from the synapse