Psychopharmacology 101

Question 1

What is the relationship between binding affinity and drug potency?

Answer 1

Lower affinity lower potency

Higher affinity higher potency

Question 2

How are agonist and antagonists alike? How are they different?

Answer 2

Alike: Molecular structures that bind to proteins

Differ:
Agonists “mimics” neurotransmitter and acts the same as a neurotransmitter.
Antagonist competes with neurotransmitter and prevents it from binding.

Question 3

What are presynaptic autoreceptors?

Answer 3

monitor levels of neurotransmitters in the synapse and govern the synthesis and release of the neurotransmitter.

Question 4

monitor levels of neurotransmitters in the synapse and govern the synthesis and release of the neurotransmitter.

Answer 4

presynapic autoreceptors

Question 5

How do presynaptic autoreceptors work?

Answer 5

They are acted upon by the same neurotransmitter that is released by the presynaptic neuron. The frequency of binding to the autoreceptor lets the neuron know how concentrated the neurotransmitter is in the synaptic cleft.