Week 8 - Chapter 12 (Basic Neuropharmacology)

Question 1

Agonist

Answer 1

Agonists are molecules that activate receptors.

Agonist drugs increase receptor activation

Question 2

Antagonist

Answer 2

Antagonists produce their effects by preventing receptor activation by endogenous regulatory molecules and drugs.
Antagonist drugs decrease receptor activation

Question 3

Axonal Conduction

Answer 3

the process of conducting an action potential down the axon of the neuron. Drugs that act by altering axonal conduction are not very selective because a drug that alters axonal conduction will affect conduction in all nerves to which it has access.

Question 4

Neuropharmacology

Answer 4

the study of drugs that alter processes controlled by the nervous system.

Question 5

Neurotransmitter

Answer 5

“chemical messengers” They transmit signals across a chemical synapse.

Question 6

Receptor

Answer 6

The impact of a drug on a neuronally regulated process is dependent on the ability of that drug to directly or indirectly influence receptor activity on target cells.

Question 7

Receptor Activation

Answer 7

an effect on receptor function equivalent to that produced by the natural neurotransmitter at a particular synapse

Question 8

Synaptic Transmission

Answer 8

Is the process by which information is carried across the gap between the neuron and the postsynaptic cell. Five basic steps:

1. transmitter synthesis,
2. transmitter storage,
3. transmitter release,
4. binding of transmitter to its receptors, and
5. termination of transmitter action by dissociation of transmitter from the receptor followed by transmitter reuptake or degradation.

Question 9

Drugs can do one of two things to receptor function

Answer 9

They can increase receptor activation or they can decrease receptor activation.

Question 10

1. Drugs that increase transmitter synthesis…
2. Drugs that decrease transmitter synthesis…
3. Drugs that promote synthesis of “super” transmitters…

Answer 10

2. increase receptor activation.
3. decrease receptor activation.
4. increase receptor activation.

Question 11

Drugs that impede transmitter storage…

Answer 11

decrease receptor activation.

Question 12

1. Drugs that promote transmitter release…

2. Drugs that suppress transmitter release…

Answer 12

1. increase receptor activation.

2. decrease receptor activation.

Question 13

1. Drugs that block transmitter reuptake…

2. Drugs that inhibit transmitter degradation…

Answer 13

1. increase receptor activation.

2. increase receptor activation.