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Kalat’s Book Chapter 3 Alphabetical

2-AG

2-AG

Found in milk. Combination of arachidonic acid

and glycerol. Stands for 2-arachidonoylglycerol.

Calcium-dependent chemical that regulates

metabolism; blocking it may reduce weight.

Similar structure to marijuana.

acetylcholine

acetylcholine

Also called ACh. First neurotransmitter

discovered. Used in many areas.

Among uses, makes muscles move.

acetylcholinesterase

acetylcholinesterase

Also called AChE. Breaks down

acetylcholine.

affinity

affinity

How tightly drug binds to receptor.

agonist

agonist

As opposed to an antagonist. Acts like

a neurotransmitter. Binds and causes a

receptor to trigger a response.

alcoholism

alcoholism

Alcohol dependence. A type of problem

drinking. Characterized by physical

addiction and continued drinking

despite impairments in health and

social relationships.

amino acids

amino acids

The building blocks to make proteins.

Composed of hydrogen, carbon,

oxygen and nitrogen.

amphetamine

amphetamine

Short for alpha-methylphenethylamine.

A synthesized stimulant that is easily

abused. Structured like dopamine, it is

uptaken, pushes out more dopamine

into synapse, continues euphoric effect.

anandamide

anandamide

N-arachidonoylethanolamine or AEA.

Neurotransmitter that is important for

implantation in uterus, impacts feeding

behavior, and may inhibit breast cancer cells.

antabuse

antabuse

First drug approved to treat alcoholism.

Causes nausea in subsequent drinking

of alcohol. Inhibits alcohol processing.

antagonist

antagonist

As opposed to an agonist. Binds to

receptor and prevents or inhibits a

response.

anterior pituitary

anterior pituitary

The front part of the pituitary gland.

Regulated by the hypothalamus, it

secretes hormones such as TSH, FSH,

LH, GH and prolactin.

autoreceptors

autoreceptors

Part of the pre-synapse neuron that is

sensitive to its own neurotransmitter.

Acts as a feedback loop.

cannabinoids

cannabinoids

Any chemical that impacts cannabinoid

receptors. Best known is THC, found in

marijuana.

catecholamines

catecholamines

A group of neurotransmitters created

from tyrosine. Tyrosine is converted

into L-DOPA, and then into dopamine,

norepinephrine and epinephrine,

respectively.

cocaine

cocaine

Highly addictive drugs used both as a

local anesthetic and as a stimulant.

Easily crosses the blood-brain barrier

and might cause it to break down.

Abused for its euphoric effect.

COMT

COMT

Catechol-O-methyl transferase. Breaks

down catecholamine neurotransmitters

in the synapse. Some drugs used to

treat Parkinson’s disease inhibit COMT.

delta 9-THC

delta 9-THC

Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol. Given to

cancer patients to reduce nausea.

Increases appetite.

dopamine transporter

dopamine transporter

Reuptakes dopamine into pre-synaptic

neuron.

efficacy

efficacy

Maximum amount of effect of a drug.

endocrine glands

endocrine glands

A system of glands that secrete

hormones into the blood.

EPSP

EPSP

Excitatory postsynaptic potential.

Change in a post-synaptic neuron

making it more likely to fire.

exocytosis

exocytosis

As opposed to endocytosis. Movement

of secretions out of a cell.

gap junction

gap junction

A nexus. Allows a direct electrical connection

between cells. Makes heart cells fire together.

Also in astrocyte-astrocyte & neuron- glial

connections. In neurons, an electrical synapse.

When one cell is dying, it triggers neighboring

healthy cells to also die (bystander effect).

g protein

g protein

Guanine nucleotide-binding protein. Act

like molecular switches that activate a

cascade of events. Work together with

hormones and neurotransmitters to

create metabolic effects.

gases

gases

Can be used as a neurotransmitter,

such as carbon monoxide and nitric

acid. Small amounts are used for

neural signaling. Too much is highly

toxic and can cause death.

hallucinogenic drugs

hallucinogenic drugs

Includes psychedelics, dissociatives

and deliriants. Cause changes in

perception, thinking and emotion.

hormone

hormone

Chemical released by endocrine gland

into the blood. Can impact many cells

and can have long-term effects.

IPSP

IPSP

Inhibitory postsynaptic potential. Firing

of a neuron decreased the likelihood of

a post-synaptic neuron firing.

ionotropic effects

ionotropic effects

As opposed the metabotropic.

Localized, short-term effect of a

neurotransmitter or hormone on an ion

channel.

ligand-gated channels

ligand-gated channels

As opposed to voltage-gated. Ion

channels that open because of a

neurotransmitter or hormone.

MAO

MAO

Stands for L-monoamine oxidases.

Group of enzymes that break down

monoamines such as serotonin,

dopamine and adrenaline.

metabotropic effect

metabotropic effect

As opposed the ionotropic.

Generalized, long-term effect of a

neurotransmitter or hormone on an ion

channel or cell.

methadone

methadone

Synthetic opioid used to treat heroin

addiction.

methylphenidate

methylphenidate

A stimulant used to treat ADHD. Better

known as ritalin.

monoamines

monoamines

Chemicals derived from amino acids.

They include catecholamines and

tryptamines, and act as

neurotransmitters & neuromodulators.

neuromodulators

neuromodulators

A chemical that is released by a neuron to

regulate widespread neural activity. Some, like

dopamine, histamine and acetylcholine also

can be neurotransmitters (direct neural

connectors at chemical synapses).

neuropeptides

neuropeptides

Chemicals and neurotransmitters (like

glutamate) that are packed together

and stored in soma and dendrites.

They signal neurons through g-protein

receptors.

nicotine

nicotine

Extremely addictive chemical used as a

insecticide and in cigarettes. In low

doses it’s a stimulant; toxic at high

doses. A nightshade plant.

nitric oxide

nitric oxide

Nitrogen monoxide. A byproduct of

combustion engines, lightning and cell

production. Act as a vasodilator (lasting only

a few seconds), protects the liver, and

increases if you live in higher altitudes.

nucleus accumbens

nucleus accumbens “Pleasure center” because of its role in reward,

pleasure & laughter. Part of basal ganglia; an

NA in each hemisphere. Each has two

structures (core & shell); use GABA as

neurotransmitter. Medium spiny neurons. Also

in aggression, fear and placebo effect.

opiate drugs

opiate drugs

Class of narcotic drugs that includes

codeine, heroin, morphine, oxycodone

and hydrocodone.

oxytocin

oxytocin

Neuromodulator involved in childbirth,

bonding and milk production. Perhaps

involved in empathy and trust.

peptide hormones

peptide hormones

Includes those secreted from pituitary

gland, such as ACTH, prolactin,

vasopressin and oxytocin.

pituitary gland

pituitary gland

Small gland (size of pea) on bottom of

hypothalamus. Secretes peptide hormones.

Anterior pituitary secretes HGH, TSH, ACTH,

beta-endorphin, LH, & prolactin. Posterior

pituitary secretes oxytocin & vasopressin.

posterior pituitary

posterior pituitary

Secretes oxytocin and vasopressin.

postsynaptic neuron

postsynaptic neuron

The neuron stimulated by another

neuron.

presynaptic neuron

presynaptic neuron

The neuron that stimulates another

neuron.

protein hormone

protein hormone

Also called a peptide hormone.

purines

purines

Includes adenine, guanine, xanthine,

caffeine and uric acid.

reflexes

reflexes

Involuntary action that occurs automatically

and without need for thinking. Infantile

reflexes last for several months before

disappearing. Lifelong reflexes include

coughing, sneezing, startle and scratching.

reflex arc

reflex arc

Shortest behavior unit. Sensory neuron

activate motor neuron (linked by an

interneuron). Path doesn’t go thru brain.

releasing hormones

releasing hormones

Controls release of another hormone.

reuptake

reuptake

Clearing a synapse by pumping

neurotransmitter back into presynaptic

neuron.

second messenger

second messenger

Process by which epinephrine (and

others) change cell activity. Molecules

relay signals from outside to inside cell.

self-stimulation of the brain

self-stimulation of the brain

Rats implanted with electrodes in the

lateral posterior hypothalamus push

level compulsively. In humans, can be

used as operant reinforcer.

spatial summation

spatial summation

As opposed to temporal summation. A

method for encoding magnitude.

Neuron is triggered by the firing of

multiple neurons at the same time.

spontaneous firing rate

spontaneous firing rate

Resting rate that a neuron fires.

Increase or decrease in firing rate can

code separate features (fire more for

green, fire less for red).

stimulant drugs

stimulant drugs

Temporarily improves attention, mood

and alertness. Increases heart rate,

blood pressure and arousal. Includes

uppers such as caffeine, cocaine,

amphetamines, nicotine and MDNA.

synapse

synapse

Gap between neurons. Can be

chemical or electrical.

temporal summation

temporal summation

As opposed spatial summation. A

method for encoding magnitude.

Neuron is triggered by a neuron firing

repeatedly.

tolerance

tolerance

The more you use a drug the less

impact it has.

transmitter-gated channels

transmitter-gated channels

Neurotransmitter- gated channels. Also

called ligand ion-gated channels.

transporters

transporters

Proteins that move neurotransmitters

across cell membranes during

reuptake.

Type I alcoholism

Type I alcoholism

Adult or late-onset alcoholism. Less

genetic, affect men and women about

equally. Characterized by binge

drinking, becomes more severe over

time. Less severe than Type II.

Type II alcoholism

Type II alcoholism

Child or early-onset alcoholism. Strong

genetic link, often starts in early teens,

impacts many more men than women,

more severe impairment. Often abused

drugs too.

vasopressin

vasopressin

Arginine vasopressin. Secreted by

posterior pituitary to retain water and

constrict blood vessels.

vesicles

vesicles

Small bubble, envelope or sack in a

cell. Often refers to storage of

neurotransmitters.

withdrawal

withdrawal

Symptoms from discontinuing a drug.

Caused by drug tolerance.

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