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Biology of Addiction > Module 3 Genetics, Neurobiology, & Psychopharmacology > Flashcards

Module 3 Genetics, Neurobiology, & Psychopharmacology Flashcards

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AP® Biology flashcards Biology 101 flashcards
1
Q

agonist

A

A chemical/substance that activates a specific type of receptor site in the brain or body (opposite of antagonist).

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2
Q

alleles

A

The alternative forms of a gene found at a specific chromosomal location.

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3
Q

amygdala

A

Location in the brain associated with emotion.

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4
Q

anhedonia

A

Inability to experience pleasure/happiness.

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5
Q

antagonists

A

Substances that block or reduce responses by blocking receptors (opposite of agonist).

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6
Q

autonomic nervous system (ANS)

A

Portions of the nervous system responsible for controlling bodily functions outside of conscious control (e.g., digestion, heart rate, breathing rate, blood pressure).

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7
Q

central nervous system (CNS)

A

The brain and spinal cord.

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8
Q

chromosomes

A

Sites where genes are located; humans have 23 pairs of chromosomes present in every cell, except egg and sperm cells which have 23 single chromosomes.

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9
Q

chromosomal regions

A

Sections of a chromosome.

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10
Q

concordance

A

The degree of similarity or agreement in what is being compared (e.g., a pair of twins).

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11
Q

dizygotic twins

A

Twins developing from two different fertilized eggs.

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12
Q

DNA

A

The hereditary material (deoxyribonucleic acid) passed from parents to offspring.

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13
Q

dopamine

A

A primary neurotransmitter (and precursor to producing other molecules, like epinephrine).

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14
Q

downregulation

A

Reducing or suppressing a response or sensitivity to a substance (opposite of upregulation).

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15
Q

dysphoria

A

Experience of unease or dissatisfaction with life which can be intense.

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16
Q

endorphins & enkaphalins

A

Peptides in the body with brain and nervous system effects, especially with regard to opiate receptors and pain control.

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17
Q

epinephrine

A

Also known as adrenaline, a stimulant/arousing hormone released in the body that influences autonomic nervous system functions (heart rate, respiration, and muscle preparation for action), acts in opposition to norepinephrine (noradrenaline).

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18
Q

excitatory neurotransmitters

A

Neurotransmitters that have an activating effect on postsynaptic neurons.

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19
Q

GABA (gamma-aminobutyric acid)

A

A neurotransmitter pervasive throughout the brain which inhibits neuron responses.

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20
Q

genes

A

Sections of DNA sequences that direct how/whether biological processes occur.

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21
Q

genome

A

The complete set of genes present in a cell/organism; humans share 99.9% of their genome, with individual difference attributed to that very small remaining percent (NHGRI, 2018).

22
Q

genotype

A

The set of genes responsible for a certain trait/characteristic.

23
Q

glial cells

A

A type of cell in the CNS that support neurons.

24
Q

glutamate

A

An excitatory neurotransmitter.

25
Q

half-life

A

The period of time it takes for the body to metabolize a drug by half its concentration.

26
Q

heritability

A

Estimate or measure of the contribution of genes (versus environment) to a phenotypic outcome based on a proportion of observed variance in the trait studied.

27
Q

hippocampus

A

Area of the brain responsible for emotion, memory, and control of the autonomic nervous system.

28
Q

homeostasis

A

The tendency in systems to establish and maintain a relatively stable, balanced state; many physiological processes have opposites so they can work in tandem to create this balance.

29
Q

inhibitory neurotransmitters

A

Neurotransmitters that have a suppressing effect on postsynaptic neurons.

30
Q

limbic system

A

A networked system of brain regions that control basic emotions and drives.

31
Q

metabolites

A

Substances formed in the process of breaking down (metabolizing) other substances.

32
Q

monozygotic twins

A

Twins developing out of the same egg fertilized by a single sperm.

33
Q

neuroanatomy

A

Study of the anatomy (structures) of the nervous system.

34
Q

neurochemistry

A

Study of the biochemical processes occurring in the nervous system.

35
Q

neurons

A

Type of cell in the CNS (nerve cells).

36
Q

neurotransmitters

A

Types of molecules involved in communication between neurons.

37
Q

norepinephrine

A

Also known as noradrenaline, a suppressing/inhibitory hormone released in the body that influences autonomic nervous system functions (heart rate, respiration, and muscle preparation for action), acts in opposition to epinephrine (adrenaline).

38
Q

nucleus accumbens

A

Also called the accumbens nucleus, an area of the brain involved in the reward circuit, primarily using dopamine to stimulate desire and serotonin to establish satiation.

39
Q

pharmacokinetics

A

Branch of pharmacology concerned with how drugs move and are metabolized in the body.

40
Q

pharmacotherapy

A

Providing treatment by the use of medications/drugs.

41
Q

phenotype

A

An observable/expressed characteristic, trait, behavior, or disease outcome influenced by some combination of genotype and environment.

42
Q

polygenic

A

A trait, characteristic, or disease attributable to variation in multiple genes.

43
Q

postsynaptic neuron

A

A neuron receiving communication from another neuron.

44
Q

prefrontal cortex

A

Area of the brain playing a significant role in regulating cognitive processes and higher-order thought, emotion, and behavior.

45
Q

presynaptic neuron

A

A neuron sending communication to another neuron.

46
Q

psychopharmacology

A

The study and use of psychoactive/psychotropic medications, drugs, or other substances to create brain changes.

47
Q

receptors

A

Sites on (nerve) cells where neurotransmitters have their influence if there is a match between type of neurotransmitter and receptor site.

48
Q

serotonin

A

A neurotransmitter involved in balancing emotion and mood, with a role in social behavior, sleep, memory, appetite, and sexual function.

49
Q

synapse/synaptic cleft

A

The space between two neurons where communication by neurotransmitters takes place.

50
Q

synergism

A

The increase in strength or duration of an effect by combining two substances with similar actions.

51
Q

transporters

A

The route by which neurotransmitter molecules are returned to the presynaptic neuron vesicles.

52
Q

upregulation

A

Enhancing or increasing a response or sensitivity to a substance (opposite of downregulation).

Biology of Addiction (7 decks)

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