FLASH CARDS www.biologicalpsych.com Kalat s Book Chapter 3 Alphabetical
2-AG
2-AG Found in milk. Combination of arachidonic acid and glycerol. Stands for 2-arachidonoylglycerol. Calcium-dependent chemical that regulates metabolism; blocking it may reduce weight. Similar structure to marijuana.
acetylcholine
acetylcholine Also called ACh. First neurotransmitter discovered. Used in many areas. Among uses, makes muscles move.
acetylcholinesterase
acetylcholinesterase Also called AChE. Breaks down acetylcholine.
affinity
affinity How tightly drug binds to receptor.
agonist
agonist As opposed to an antagonist. Acts like a neurotransmitter. Binds and causes a receptor to trigger a response.
alcoholism
alcoholism Alcohol dependence. A type of problem drinking. Characterized by physical addiction and continued drinking despite impairments in health and social relationships.
amino acids
amino acids The building blocks to make proteins. Composed of hydrogen, carbon, oxygen and nitrogen.
amphetamine
amphetamine Short for alpha-methylphenethylamine. A synthesized stimulant that is easily abused. Structured like dopamine, it is uptaken, pushes out more dopamine into synapse, continues euphoric effect.
anandamide
anandamide N-arachidonoylethanolamine or AEA. Neurotransmitter that is important for implantation in uterus, impacts feeding behavior, and may inhibit breast cancer cells.
antabuse
antabuse First drug approved to treat alcoholism. Causes nausea in subsequent drinking of alcohol. Inhibits alcohol processing.
antagonist
antagonist As opposed to an agonist. Binds to receptor and prevents or inhibits a response.
anterior pituitary
anterior pituitary The front part of the pituitary gland. Regulated by the hypothalamus, it secretes hormones such as TSH, FSH, LH, GH and prolactin.
autoreceptors
autoreceptors Part of the pre-synapse neuron that is sensitive to its own neurotransmitter. Acts as a feedback loop.
cannabinoids
cannabinoids Any chemical that impacts cannabinoid receptors. Best known is THC, found in marijuana.
catecholamines
catecholamines A group of neurotransmitters created from tyrosine. Tyrosine is converted into L-DOPA, and then into dopamine, norepinephrine and epinephrine, respectively.
cocaine
cocaine Highly addictive drugs used both as a local anesthetic and as a stimulant. Easily crosses the blood-brain barrier and might cause it to break down. Abused for its euphoric effect.
COMT
COMT Catechol-O-methyl transferase. Breaks down catecholamine neurotransmitters in the synapse. Some drugs used to treat Parkinson s disease inhibit COMT.
delta 9-THC
delta 9-THC Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol. Given to cancer patients to reduce nausea. Increases appetite.
dopamine transporter
dopamine transporter Reuptakes dopamine into pre-synaptic neuron.
efficacy
efficacy Maximum amount of effect of a drug.
endocrine glands
endocrine glands A system of glands that secrete hormones into the blood.
EPSP
EPSP Excitatory postsynaptic potential. Change in a post-synaptic neuron making it more likely to fire.
exocytosis
exocytosis As opposed to endocytosis. Movement of secretions out of a cell.
gap junction
gap junction A nexus. Allows a direct electrical connection between cells. Makes heart cells fire together. Also in astrocyte-astrocyte & neuron- glial connections. In neurons, an electrical synapse. When one cell is dying, it triggers neighboring healthy cells to also die (bystander effect).
g protein
g protein Guanine nucleotide-binding protein. Act like molecular switches that activate a cascade of events. Work together with hormones and neurotransmitters to create metabolic effects.
gases
gases Can be used as a neurotransmitter, such as carbon monoxide and nitric acid. Small amounts are used for neural signaling. Too much is highly toxic and can cause death.
hallucinogenic drugs
hallucinogenic drugs Includes psychedelics, dissociatives and deliriants. Cause changes in perception, thinking and emotion.
hormone
hormone Chemical released by endocrine gland into the blood. Can impact many cells and can have long-term effects.
IPSP
IPSP Inhibitory postsynaptic potential. Firing of a neuron decreased the likelihood of a post-synaptic neuron firing.
ionotropic effects
ionotropic effects As opposed the metabotropic. Localized, short-term effect of a neurotransmitter or hormone on an ion channel.
ligand-gated channels
ligand-gated channels As opposed to voltage-gated. Ion channels that open because of a neurotransmitter or hormone.
MAO
MAO Stands for L-monoamine oxidases. Group of enzymes that break down monoamines such as serotonin, dopamine and adrenaline.
metabotropic effect
metabotropic effect As opposed the ionotropic. Generalized, long-term effect of a neurotransmitter or hormone on an ion channel or cell.
methadone
methadone Synthetic opioid used to treat heroin addiction.
methylphenidate
methylphenidate A stimulant used to treat ADHD. Better known as ritalin.
monoamines
monoamines Chemicals derived from amino acids. They include catecholamines and tryptamines, and act as neurotransmitters & neuromodulators.
neuromodulators
neuromodulators A chemical that is released by a neuron to regulate widespread neural activity. Some, like dopamine, histamine and acetylcholine also can be neurotransmitters (direct neural connectors at chemical synapses).
neuropeptides
neuropeptides Chemicals and neurotransmitters (like glutamate) that are packed together and stored in soma and dendrites. They signal neurons through g-protein receptors.
nicotine
nicotine Extremely addictive chemical used as a insecticide and in cigarettes. In low doses it s a stimulant; toxic at high doses. A nightshade plant.
nitric oxide
nitric oxide Nitrogen monoxide. A byproduct of combustion engines, lightning and cell production. Act as a vasodilator (lasting only a few seconds), protects the liver, and increases if you live in higher altitudes.
nucleus accumbens
nucleus accumbens Pleasure center because of its role in reward, pleasure & laughter. Part of basal ganglia; an NA in each hemisphere. Each has two structures (core & shell); use GABA as neurotransmitter. Medium spiny neurons. Also in aggression, fear and placebo effect.
opiate drugs
opiate drugs Class of narcotic drugs that includes codeine, heroin, morphine, oxycodone and hydrocodone.
oxytocin
oxytocin Neuromodulator involved in childbirth, bonding and milk production. Perhaps involved in empathy and trust.
peptide hormones
peptide hormones Includes those secreted from pituitary gland, such as ACTH, prolactin, vasopressin and oxytocin.
pituitary gland
pituitary gland Small gland (size of pea) on bottom of hypothalamus. Secretes peptide hormones. Anterior pituitary secretes HGH, TSH, ACTH, beta-endorphin, LH, & prolactin. Posterior pituitary secretes oxytocin & vasopressin.
posterior pituitary
posterior pituitary Secretes oxytocin and vasopressin.
postsynaptic neuron
postsynaptic neuron The neuron stimulated by another neuron.
presynaptic neuron
presynaptic neuron The neuron that stimulates another neuron.
protein hormone
protein hormone Also called a peptide hormone.
purines
purines Includes adenine, guanine, xanthine, caffeine and uric acid.
reflexes
reflexes Involuntary action that occurs automatically and without need for thinking. Infantile reflexes last for several months before disappearing. Lifelong reflexes include coughing, sneezing, startle and scratching.
reflex arc
reflex arc Shortest behavior unit. Sensory neuron activate motor neuron (linked by an interneuron). Path doesn t go thru brain.
releasing hormones
releasing hormones Controls release of another hormone.
reuptake
reuptake Clearing a synapse by pumping neurotransmitter back into presynaptic neuron.
second messenger
second messenger Process by which epinephrine (and others) change cell activity. Molecules relay signals from outside to inside cell.
self-stimulation of the brain
self-stimulation of the brain Rats implanted with electrodes in the lateral posterior hypothalamus push level compulsively. In humans, can be used as operant reinforcer.
spatial summation
spatial summation As opposed to temporal summation. A method for encoding magnitude. Neuron is triggered by the firing of multiple neurons at the same time.
spontaneous firing rate
spontaneous firing rate Resting rate that a neuron fires. Increase or decrease in firing rate can code separate features (fire more for green, fire less for red).
stimulant drugs
stimulant drugs Temporarily improves attention, mood and alertness. Increases heart rate, blood pressure and arousal. Includes uppers such as caffeine, cocaine, amphetamines, nicotine and MDNA.
synapse
synapse Gap between neurons. Can be chemical or electrical.
temporal summation
temporal summation As opposed spatial summation. A method for encoding magnitude. Neuron is triggered by a neuron firing repeatedly.
tolerance
tolerance The more you use a drug the less impact it has.
transmitter-gated channels
transmitter-gated channels Neurotransmitter- gated channels. Also called ligand ion-gated channels.
transporters
transporters Proteins that move neurotransmitters across cell membranes during reuptake.
Type I alcoholism
Type I alcoholism Adult or late-onset alcoholism. Less genetic, affect men and women about equally. Characterized by binge drinking, becomes more severe over time. Less severe than Type II.
Type II alcoholism
Type II alcoholism Child or early-onset alcoholism. Strong genetic link, often starts in early teens, impacts many more men than women, more severe impairment. Often abused drugs too.
vasopressin
vasopressin Arginine vasopressin. Secreted by posterior pituitary to retain water and constrict blood vessels.
vesicles
vesicles Small bubble, envelope or sack in a cell. Often refers to storage of neurotransmitters.
withdrawal
withdrawal Symptoms from discontinuing a drug. Caused by drug tolerance.
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