NURS 6630 Psychopharmacology Stud
y Guide 2024
agonist - ANSWERSproduces a conformational change in the G-protein-linked receptor
that turns on the synthesis of second messenger to the greatest extent possible
full agonist - ANSWERSis generally represented by the naturally occurring
neurotransmitter itself, although some drugs can also act in as full a manner as the
natural neurotransmitter
Constitutive activity - ANSWERSin the absence of agonist, the receptor's conformation
is such that it leads to a low level of activity
Antagonists - ANSWERSblocks agonists (both full and partial) from binding to
Gprotein-linked receptors, thus preventing agonists from causing maximum signal
transduction and instead changing the receptor's conformation back to the same state
as exists when no agonist is present
Partial agonists - ANSWERSstimulate G-protein-linked receptors to enhance signal
transduction but do not lead to maximum signal transduction the way full agonists do
classic synaptic neurotransmission - ANSWERSstimulation of a presynaptic neuron
(e.g., by neurotransmitters, light, drugs, hormones, nerve impulses) causes electrical
impulses to be sent to its axon terminal. These electrical impulses are then converted
into chemical messengers and released to stimulate the receptors of a postsynaptic
neuron.
The synaptic cleft - ANSWERSis the gap between the presynaptic neuron and the
postsynaptic neuron; it contains proteins and scaffolding and molecular forms of
"synaptic glue" to reinforce the connection between the neurons. Receptors are present
on both sides of this cleft and are key elements of chemical neurotransmission.
the soma - ANSWERSis the command center of the nerve and contains the nucleus of
the cell
axon - ANSWERSNeurons send information via an ____ that forms presynaptic
terminals as the ____ passes by (en passant) or as the ____ ends
axodendritic - ANSWERSsynaptic connections between the axon and dendrites of two
neurons
axosomatic - ANSWERSsynaptic connections between the axon and the soma
y Guide 2024
agonist - ANSWERSproduces a conformational change in the G-protein-linked receptor
that turns on the synthesis of second messenger to the greatest extent possible
full agonist - ANSWERSis generally represented by the naturally occurring
neurotransmitter itself, although some drugs can also act in as full a manner as the
natural neurotransmitter
Constitutive activity - ANSWERSin the absence of agonist, the receptor's conformation
is such that it leads to a low level of activity
Antagonists - ANSWERSblocks agonists (both full and partial) from binding to
Gprotein-linked receptors, thus preventing agonists from causing maximum signal
transduction and instead changing the receptor's conformation back to the same state
as exists when no agonist is present
Partial agonists - ANSWERSstimulate G-protein-linked receptors to enhance signal
transduction but do not lead to maximum signal transduction the way full agonists do
classic synaptic neurotransmission - ANSWERSstimulation of a presynaptic neuron
(e.g., by neurotransmitters, light, drugs, hormones, nerve impulses) causes electrical
impulses to be sent to its axon terminal. These electrical impulses are then converted
into chemical messengers and released to stimulate the receptors of a postsynaptic
neuron.
The synaptic cleft - ANSWERSis the gap between the presynaptic neuron and the
postsynaptic neuron; it contains proteins and scaffolding and molecular forms of
"synaptic glue" to reinforce the connection between the neurons. Receptors are present
on both sides of this cleft and are key elements of chemical neurotransmission.
the soma - ANSWERSis the command center of the nerve and contains the nucleus of
the cell
axon - ANSWERSNeurons send information via an ____ that forms presynaptic
terminals as the ____ passes by (en passant) or as the ____ ends
axodendritic - ANSWERSsynaptic connections between the axon and dendrites of two
neurons
axosomatic - ANSWERSsynaptic connections between the axon and the soma
