Brain & Behavior Test Prep Unit #2 questions with correct answers

What is psychopharmacology? - Answer The study of the effects of drugs on the nervous system and on behavior. Define Drugs according to Pharmocologists - Answer an exogenous (from outside the body) chemical not necessary for normal cellular functioning that significantly alters functions of certain cells of the body when taken in relatively low doses. excludes essential nutrients Define Drug effect - Answer changes a drug produces in an animal's physiological processes and behavior What drug effects do opiates like heroin, morphine? - Answer decreased sensitivity to pain, slowing digestive system, sedation, muscular relaxation, constriction of pupils, euphoria. What are the sites of action? - Answer points at which molecules of drugs interact with molecules located on or in cells of the body affecting biochemical processes of these cells. What must happen for a drug to be effective?How does this happen? - Answer it must reach its site of action. Drugs enter the bloodstream and are carried to the organ/s in which they act. Once there, they must leave the bloodstream and come into contact with the molecules with which they interact