Drug addiction

Question 1

define drugs

Answer 1

Chemical substances which interact with biochemistry of the body

Question 2

roles of drugs

Answer 2

Inhibit or reinforce enzyme activity Interact with neurotransmitters/hormones
Block or activate receptors
Attack “invaders”

Question 3

define psychoactive drugs

Answer 3

Any chemicals that influence the way we feel or act
Usually interact with the nervous system or endocrine system
Act at synapses

Question 4

define agonist

Answer 4

mimics neurotransmitter action

Question 5

define antagonist

Answer 5

blocks action of a neurotransmitter

Question 6

routes of drug intake

Answer 6

• Digestive tract
  
  • Respiratory tract
  • Skin
  • Mucous membranes
  • Intravenous injection (directly into blood)
  • Intramuscular injection (direct to muscles)
    Subcutaneous injection (under skin)

Question 7

what do water soluble drugs refer to

Answer 7

directly dissolved in blood but do not pass through cell membranes

Question 8

what do lipid soluble drugs refer to

Answer 8

need carriers to transport around the blood - but can pass directly through cell membranes

Question 9

what are the differences between capillaries in the brain and in the body

Answer 9

in the blood they contain epithelial cells, so water soluble drugs can pass through
in the brain capillaries do not contain epithelial cells

Question 10

what do endothelial cells have that allows fat soluble drugs to pass through

Answer 10

lipid bilayer

Question 11

what is a key characteristic of psychoactive drugs

Answer 11

lipid soluble in order to have an effect on the brain and behaviour