Behavioral Neuroscience Exam 1 Questions & Answers 2024/2025

Behavioral Neuroscience Exam 1 Questions & Answers 2024/2025 Neurotransmitters - ANSWER-a chemical messenger that communicates across a synapse Neuromodulators - ANSWER-a chemical messenger that communicates with target cells more distant than the synapse by diffusing away from the point of release Neurohormones - ANSWER-a chemical messenger that communicates with target cells at a great distance, often by traveling through the circulation Cholinergic - ANSWER-releasing or activated by acetylcholine or a related compound Acetylcholinesterase (AChE) - ANSWER-an enzyme that breaks down the neurotransmitter acetylcholine Monoamines - ANSWER-One of a major group of biogenic amine neurotransmitters, including dopamine, norepinephrine, epinephrine, and serotonin Catecholamines - ANSWER-A member of a group of related biogenic amines that includes dopamine, epinephrine, and norepinephrine Indolamines - ANSWER-one of a subgroup of monoamines including serotonin and melatonin Amino Acids - ANSWER-an essential component of proteins Neuropeptides - ANSWER-A peptide neurochemical secreted by the arcuate nucleus of the hypothalamus that initiates eating Gaseous Neurotransmitters - ANSWER-chemicals like NO diffuse through membranes without needing vesicles or a release mechanism, act on receptors located within cells, break down very quickly without needing the action of enzymes Lipid Neurotransmitters - ANSWER-ex: cannabinoids Antagonist - ANSWER-drug that reduces the action of a neurotransmitter Agonist - ANSWER-substance the promotes the activity of a neurotransmitter Placebo Effect - ANSWER-perceived benefit from inactive substances or procedures Placebo - ANSWER-a substance that is given to someone under their assumption that it is the real drug, although it is a fake Tolerance - ANSWER-the process in which more of a drug is needed to produce the same effect Withdrawal - ANSWER-the symptoms that occur when certain addictive drugs are no longer administered or are administered in smaller quantities Addiction - ANSWER-a compulsive craving for drug effects or other experience Nucleus Accumbens - ANSWER-part of the basal ganglia, involved in neurotransmitter pathways Mesolimbic Dopamine Pathway - ANSWER-runs from VTA to Nucleus Accumbens, reward pathway Acetylcholine (ACh) - ANSWER-a major small molecule neurotransmitter used at the neuromuscular junction, in the autonomic nervous system, and in the CNS Dopamine (DA) - ANSWER-a major monoamine and catecholamine neurotransmitter implicated in motor control, reward, and psychosis Norepinephrine (NE) - ANSWER-a major monoamine and catecholamine neurotransmitter Epinephrine (EPI) - ANSWER-one of the monoamine/catecholamine neurotransmitters (AKA adrenaline) Serotonin (5-HT) - ANSWER-a major monoamine and indoleamine neurotransmitter believed to participate in the regulation of mood, sleep, and appetite Melatonin - ANSWER-an indoleamine secreted by the pineal gland that participates in the regulation of circadian rhythms GABA (Gamma Aminobutyric Acid) - ANSWER-A major inhibitory amino acid neurotransmitter Glutamate - ANSWER-a major excitatory amino acid neurotransmitter Endorphins - ANSWER-a naturally occurring neuropeptide that is very closely related to opioids NO (Nitric Oxide) - ANSWER-A gas that preforms a type of signaling between neurons Cocaine - ANSWER-mode of action: acts as a dopamine reuptake inhibitor Methamphetamine - ANSWER-mode of action: stimulate dopamine and norepinephrine release and inhibit their reuptake Ecstasy - ANSWER-(AKA MDMA) mode of action: stimulates the release of serotonin and the neurohormone oxytocin Alcohol - ANSWER-mode of action: stimulates GABA receptors; acts as an antagonist at the NMDA glutamate receptor, stimulates dopaminergic systems Morphine - ANSWER-mode of action: unclear, replaces natural endorphins, possibly acts as receptor site Heroin - ANSWER-mode of action: bind opioid receptors, structurally similar enough to natural chemical in brain and receptor can't tell the difference Marijuana - ANSWER-mode of action: stimulates cannabinoid receptors BoTox - ANSWER-mode of action: locks release of acetylcholine at neuromuscular junction, will cause paralysis Curare - ANSWER-mode of action: muscle relaxant that blocks the nicotinic acetylcholine receptor (nAChR), one of the two types of acetylcholine (ACh) receptors, at the neuromuscular junction. Black widow Venom - ANSWER-mode of action: increases Acetylcholine release, at a location called the neuromuscular junction, will cause convulsions St. John's Wort - ANSWER-mode of action: inhibits MAO and serotonin receptors Neuron - ANSWER-cell of nervous system that is specialized for information processing and communication Glia - ANSWER-cells is NS that support the activities of neurons, "glue" supporting cells Synapse - ANSWER-junction between two neurons at which information is transferred from one to another Synaptic gap - ANSWER-the tiny fluid filled space between neurons forming a synapse Local Circuit Neuron - ANSWER-A neuron that communicates with neurons in its immediate vicinity Projection Neuron - ANSWER-A neuron with a very long axon that communicates with neurons in distant areas of the NS Continues...