Chapter 3: Drugs and the Nervous System
What is the function of the superior colliculi?
controls localization of visual stimuli
What is the function of the pons?
controls sleep and wakefulness
What is the parasympathetic branch?
controls the body when at rest
Name four types of brain imaging:
-Electroencephalography (EEG) -Computerized axial tomography (CT-scan) -Positrion-emission tomography (PET) -Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI_
Name two Amino Acid Neurotransmitters:
-GABA -glutamate (tranquilizers, alcohol, and some hallucinogenics act on these systems)
What are the two parts that make up the Nervous system?
-central nervous system -peripheral nervous system
What are the three divisions of the brain?
-hindbrain -midbrain -forebrain
Three monoamines that have been closely linked to mood states and emotional disorders:
-norepinephrine -dopamine -serotonin
How to drugs affect the neuron system?
Drugs alter the releasing of chemical substances (neurotransmittion) into the synapses
T/F: The brain is firmly attached to the inside of the skull by tough membranes known as meninges.
False- The brain floats within the skull in a liquid known as cerebrospinal fluid
T/F: All drugs have the same basic effect on a cellular level; that is, they all block neural firing.
False-Although some drugs, called antagonists, do block receptor sites and prevent activation of the receptor, other drugs, called agonists, activate the receptor.
T/F: The autonomic nervous system is responsible for regulating food and water intake.
False-Food and water intake appears to be regulated by the hypothalamus, a structure found in the brain
T/F: The brain and the spinal cord make up the peripheral nervous system.
False-The brain and the spinal cord make up the central nervous system
T/F: The two main branches of the nervous system are the peripheral nervous system and the autonomic nervous system.
False-The two main branches of the nervous system are the central nervous system (CNS) and the peripheral nervous system (PNS).
What does Acetylcholine do?
It resides in the axon terminals of neurons that activate skeletal muscles; associated with muscular diseases and Alzheimer's
What are endorphins?
Neurotransmitters in the brain that are mimicked by opiate drugs
What must neurotransmitter chemicals do in order for the neuron to fire?
They must occupy the receptor sites
T/F: More than 100 different chemicals act as neurotransmitters in the human brain.
True
T/F: The effects of drugs always involve naturally occurring physiological processes.
True-Drugs act by making defined natural functions of the brain or body either more or less active.
T/F: Certain cells in the nervous system have the unique ability to communicate with each other.
True-Neurons are able to communicate with each other through an electrochemical process known as neural transmission.
T/F: Some drugs may act by mimicking a neurotransmitter.
True-Some drugs bind to receptor sites just as natural transmitters do.
T/F: The brain is shielded from many toxic substances by a protective barrier.
True-The brain is protected from toxic compounds that might enter the bloodstream by a blood-brain barrier that screens many, but not all, chemicals
T/F: Animals will work for the electrical stimulation of certain parts of the brain.
True-The mesolimbic dopaminergic pathway is sometimes called the pleasure center of the brain
What is the primary action of drugs?
altering normal brain function
How do psychoactive drugs produce their effects?
by acting on the nervous system
What is the function of the cerebellum?
important in motor control and coordination
What is the function of the basal ganglia?
important to motor control
What is the function of the cerebral cortex?
important to planning and impulse control
What is the function of the medulla oblangata?
it is important in the regulation of breathing, heart rate, and other basic life functions
What parts are in the lower brain?
located above the spinal cord, it includes the: -medulla -pons -cerebellum
What is the function of the limbic system?
mediates memory and emotions
What is the function of the Thalamus?
organizes sensory input
What is the function of the inferior colliculi?
part of the auditory system
What is the function of the substantia nigra?
produces dopamine, may cause Parkinson's disease if damaged
What is the sympathetic branch?
produces physiological effects associated with emotional arousal
What part of a neuron must act like a lock?
receptor sites
What is the function of the hypothalamus?
regulates eating, drinking, body temp.m aggression, sexual behavior
Neurons
specialized cells that compose the brain; transmit information by conducting electrical currents along their axons; release chemical substances called neurotransmitters into the synapse
What makes up the CNS?
the brain and spinal cord
What does the forebrain consist of?
the cerebral cortex, thalamus, hypothalamus, basal ganglia, limbic system
What makes up the PNS?
the sensory nerves, motor nerves, and the autonomic nervous system
What does the midbrain consist of?
the superior and inferior colliculi, and substantia nigra
What makes up the autonomic nervous system?
the sympathetic and parasympathetic
What part of a neuron must act like a key?
the transmitter