Exam 1 - Ch. 3

Question 1

Tetrodotoxin (TTX)

Answer 1

• Toxin found in the puffer fish liver
• TTX binds to sodium channels. Disrupts
Action potentials

• Symptoms of TTX on human body
• Paralysis
• The diaphragm (needed to breath)
becomes paralyzed so can result in
death due to respiratory failure

Question 2

How are neurotransmitters “stopped”?

Answer 2

1) Reuptake - presynaptic takes back the neurotrasmitters
2) Enzyme deactivation - Enzymes destroy neurotransmitters in the synapse
3) Autoreceptors - Neurotransmitter tells presynaptic neuron (via binding) to stop releasing

Question 3

Acetylcholine (ACh)

Answer 3

regulates motor control between nerves and muscles
• Makes the muscles contract or relax.
• Also learning, memory, sleeping dreaming

Question 4

Norepinephrine

Answer 4

state of vigilance, arousal and attention

Question 5

Serotonin

Answer 5

regulates sleep & wakefulness, eating etc

• Low levels are associated with sad and anxious moods

Question 6

Dopamine

Answer 6

regulates motor behaviour, motivation, pleasure & emotional arousal

Question 7

Glutamate

Answer 7

primary excitatory neurotransmitter.
• Aids learning and memory by enhancing synaptic connections.
• Too much can cause seizures

Question 8

GABA

Answer 8

primary inhibitory neurotransmitter.
• Widely distributed in the brain. The inhibitory activity balances out the excitatory activity
• Not enough can cause seizures

Question 9

Endorphine

Answer 9

Natural pain reduction and reward.
Helps animals continue adaptive behaviours
• When Endorphine binds to its receptor, it
increases the production and release of
Dopamine

Question 10

Amphetamine (aka. Speed)

Answer 10

Mechanism : prevents Norepinephrine and
dopamine reuptake

• Effect: Increased arousal and vigilance

• Side effects: Too much Norephnephrine
increases heart rate (health risk)
• Addiction

Question 11

Alcohol

Answer 11

• Mechanism: Alcohol is both a GABA
agonist and a glutamate antagonist

• Effect: Inhibits neural signaling
• Affects areas of the brain involved in
memory formation, decision making and
impulse control

Question 12

MDMA (aka. Ecstasy)

Answer 12

MDMA is a chemical cousin of amphetamine
• Mechanism : prevents serotonin reuptake
• Effect: Alters body-temperature, emotions (e.g. fear),
sleep, appetite
• Also alters the reward pathway in the brain
• Side effects:
• Long-term altering of brain structure and behaviour
• Depression-like aftereffects because serotonin
levels have been altered

Question 13

Botulism toxin

Answer 13

• Mechanism: inhibits ACh release

* Effect: paralysis of muscles

Question 14

Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors (SSRI)

Answer 14

• SSRIs are a class of anti-depression medication
• Mechanism: prevents serotonin reuptake
• Effect: Increased serotonin results in elevated mood
• Side-effects: causes dependence

Question 15

Opioids

Answer 15

• Opioids are a class of synthetic drugs derive
from opium
• e.g. Heroin, Morphine, and prescription
drugs (OxyContin, Perc, Fentanyl)
• Mechanism : binds to Endorphine receptors
• Effect: pain reduction
• Side effect : dependence

Question 16

Physical dependence

Answer 16

physiological need for a drug

“Physically need it”

Question 17

Psychological dependence

Answer 17

psychological need to use a drug

“Think that you need it”

Question 18

Spinal Chord sections

Answer 18

Cerivcal - breathing
Throacic -abdominal muscles
Lumbar - Leg muscles
Sacral - bladder, sexual functions

Question 19

Midbrain Parts

Answer 19

Tectum - orients organism to environment

Tegmentum - movement and arousal