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