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| Acetylcholine | chemical similar to an amino acid, except that the NH2 group has been replaced by an N(CH3)3 group; a neurotransmitter |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