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synapse for physiological psychology

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Question
Answer
2-AG (sn-2 arachidonylglycerol)   chemical that is produced in large quantities by the brain and that attaches to cannabinoid receptors  
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Acetylcholine   chemical similar to an amino acid, except that the NH2 group has been replaced by an N(CH3)3 group; a neurotransmitter  
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Acetylcholinesterase   enzyme that breaks acetylcholine into acetate and choline  
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Affinity   tendency of a drug to bind to a particular type of receptor  
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Agonist   drug that mimics or increases the effects of a neurotransmitter  
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Alcoholism (alcohol dependence)   inability to quit drinking or to limit intake of alcohol in spite of strong intentions to do so  
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Amino acids   acids containing an amine group  
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Amphetamine   stimulant drug that increases the release of dopamine  
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Anandamide   naturally occurring brain chemical that binds to the same receptors as cannabinoids  
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Antagonist   drug that blocks the effects of a neurotransmitter  
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Anterior pituitary   portion of the pituitary gland, composed of glandular tissue  
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Autoreceptor   presynaptic receptor that is stimulated by the neurotransmitter released by the presynaptic cell itself, feeding back to decrease further release of the transmitter  
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Cannabinoids   chemicals related to ”9 THC, the component of marijuana that alters experience  
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Catecholamines   compounds such as dopamine, norepinephrine, and epinephrine that contain both catechol and an amine (NH2)  
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Cocaine   stimulant drug that increases the stimulation of dopamine synapses by blocking the reuptake of dopamine by the presynaptic neuron  
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COMT (catechol-o-methyltransferase)   enzyme that converts catecholamines into synaptically inactive forms  
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Dopamine transporter   membrane protein that enables the presynaptic neuron to reabsorb dopamine after releasing it  
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Efficacy   tendency of a drug to activate a particular kind of receptor  
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Endocrine gland   structure that releases hormones into the blood  
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Excitatory postsynaptic potential (EPSP)   graded depolarization of a neuron  
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Exocytosis   excretion of neurotransmitter through the membrane of a presynaptic terminal and into the synaptic cleft between the presynaptic and postsynaptic neurons  
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G-protein   protein coupled to GTP (guanosine triphosphate, an energy-storing molecule)  
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Gases   one of the categories of neurotransmitters, including nitric oxide and possibly others  
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Hallucinogenic drugs   drugs that grossly distort perception, such as LSD  
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Hormone   chemical secreted by glands and conveyed by the blood to other organs  
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Inhibitory postsyaptic potential (IPSP)   temporary hyperpolarization of a membrane  
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Ionotropic effect   synaptic effect that depends on the rapid opening of some kind of gate in the membrane  
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Ligand-gated channel   See Transmitter-gated channel  
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MAO (monoamine oxidase)   enzyme that converts catecholamines and serotonin into synaptically inactive forms  
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Metabotropic effect   effect at a synapse that produces a relatively slow but long-lasting effect through metabolic reactions  
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Methadone   chemical similar to heroin and morphine but often given as a substitute because it can be taken orally, in which case its effects rise and fall more slowly  
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Methylphenidate (Ritalin)   stimulant drug that increases the stimulation of dopamine synapses by blocking the reuptake of dopamine by the presynaptic neuron  
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Monoamine   nonacidic neurotransmitter containing an amine group (NH2), formed by a metabolic change of certain amino acids  
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Neuropeptide   chemical formed of a chain of amino acids; released by a neuron to diff use widely, affecting many other neurons  
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Neurotransmitter   chemical released by neurons that affects other neurons  
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Nicotine   drug found in tobacco that, among other effects, stimulates certain acetylcholine receptors  
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Nitric oxide   gas released by many small neurons; alters blood flow as well as neuronal activity  
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Opiate drugs   class of drugs derived from, or similar to those derived from, opium poppies  
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Oxytocin   hormone released by the posterior pituitary; also a neurotransmitter; important for sexual and parental behaviors  
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Peptide hormone   hormone composed of a short chain of amino acids  
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Pituitary gland   endocrine gland attached to the base of the hypothalamus  
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Posterior pituitary   portion of the pituitary gland, which releases hormones synthesized by the hypothalamus  
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Postsynaptic neuron   neuron on the receiving end of a synapse  
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Presynaptic neuron   neuron on the releasing end of a synapse  
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Protein hormone   hormone composed of a long chain of amino acids  
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Purine   category of chemicals including adenosine  
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Reflex   consistent, automatic response to a stimulus  
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Reflex arc   circuit of neurons from the sensory neurons to muscle responses that produces a reflex  
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Releasing hormone   hormone released by the hypothalamus that fl ows through the blood to the anterior pituitary  
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Reuptake   reabsorption of a neurotransmitter by the presynaptic terminal  
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Second messenger   chemical within a neuron that, when activated by a neurotransmitter, initiates processes that carry messages to several areas within the neuron  
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Self-stimulation of the brain   behavior that is reinforced by direct electrical stimulation of a brain area  
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Spatial summation   combination of effects of activity from two or more synapses onto a single neuron  
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Spontaneous firing rate   periodic production of action potentials by a neuron in the absence of synaptic input  
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Stimulant drugs   drugs that tend to produce excitement, alertness, elevated mood, decreased fatigue, and sometimes increased motor activity  
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Synapse   point of communication at the gap between two neurons or between a neuron and a muscle  
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Temporal summation   cumulative effect as a result of repeated synaptic stimulation within a brief time  
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Transmitter-gated channel   ion channel that opens temporarily when a neurotransmitter binds to it  
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Transporter   membrane protein responsible for the reuptake of a neurotransmitter after its release  
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Type I (Type A) alcoholism   generally less severe type of alcohol abuse with a gradual onset and only a weak genetic predisposition; occurs about equally in men and women  
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Type II (Type B) alcoholism   severe alcohol abuse with a strong genetic basis and rapid onset early in life; much more common in men  
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Vasopressin (antidiuretic hormone)   pituitary hormone that raises blood pressure and enables the kidneys to reabsorb water and therefore to secrete highly concentrated urine  
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Vesicles   tiny, nearly spherical packets near the axon terminals filled with the neurotransmitter  
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THC   chemical found in the leaves of marijuana plants  
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