Chapter 8a Flashcards
What is a psychoactive drug?
a drug that alters one’s mood or emotional state
How do psychoactive drugs alter the communication between neurons?
1) may stimulate the release of a neurotransmitter and enhance the response of the receiving neuron
2) may inhibit the release of a neurotransmitter and thus dampen the response of the receiving neuron
3) it may increase and prolong the effect of a neurotransmitter by delaying its removal from the gap between neurons
4) may bind to the receptor and affect the activity of the receiving neuron
Psychoactive drug users may develop some level of ___________ or ________ dependence on the drug
psychological
physical
What is the difference between tolerance and dependence?
tolerance- a progressive decrease in the effectiveness of a drug in a given person
dependence- the state in which the drug is necessary for physical or psychological well-being
What is cross-tolerance?
occurs when tolerance to one drug results in a lessened response to another, usually similar, drug
alcoholic is ________
ethanol
What is ethanol?
a small molecule that is soluble in both fat and water
How is ethanol produced?
by fermentation
What is fermentation?
when yeast cells break down sugar to release energy their own use
The taste of alcohol is determined by the source of the ______ (fruit or vegetable)
sugar
___% of the alcohol that enters the body is metabolized before it’s eliminated
95%
True or False: There are ways to increase the rate of alcohol metabolism
False; There is no way to increase the rate of alcohol metabolism
Alcohol is a __________
depressant
How does alcohol affect the nervous system?
numbed nerve cells send slower messages, resulting in slower reflexes
alcohol is metabolized in the ______
liver
What is alcoholic hepatitis?
the accumulated fat in liver cells also reduces blood flow through the liver, causing inflammation
What are the symptoms of alcoholic hepatitis?
fever and tenderness in the upper abdominal region
What is cirrhosis?
fibrous scar tissue may form; which further impedes blood flow and impairs liver functioning
What can cirrhosis lead to?
intestinal bleeding
kidney failure
fluid accumulation
eventually death
A person who drinks is twice as likely to develop cancer of the _______, _______, or ________
mouth
tongue
esophagus
True or False: Moderate amounts of alcohol can be good for the heart
True
__________ is the most widely used illegal drug in the United States today
Marijuana
Marijuana consists of the leaves, flowers, and stems of the Indian hemp plant, _________ _______
Cannabis sativa
Marijuana receptors are most highly concentrated in regions involved in _________ and _______ and in ______ _______ areas
thinking
memory
motor control
_______ acts in brain regions where neurons communicating using endorphins
heroin
____ and “_______” (_____) act in brain regions where neurons communicate using serotonin
LSD
“ecstasy” (MDMA)
________ and ___________ act in brain regions where neurons communicate using dopamine and norepinephrine
cocaine
amphetamine
What are stimulants?
drugs that excite the central nervous system
What are the 3 types of stimulants?
1) cocaine
2) amphetamines
3) nicotine
Which type of stimulant is this:
synthetically produced stimulants that closely resemble dopamine and norepinephrine
amphetamines
Which type of stimulant is this:
the psychoactive ingredient in tobacco products; a stimulant that activated acetylcholine receptors
nicotine
What are hallucinogens?
grouped together because of their similar effects, even though they have very different structures
What are the different types of hallucinogens?
LSD
ecstacy
What are the effects of hallucinogens?
visual, auditory, or other distortion of sensation
vivid, unusual changes in thought and emotions
What are opiates?
natural or synthetic drugs that affect the body in ways similar to morphine, the major pain-relieving agent in opium
What are the different types of opiates?
prescription painkillers
heroin
