Chapter 5 Flash Cards

Front 1

Neuropeptides

Back 1

Proteins that are released by neurons and act as intercellular messengers.

They help neurons communicate with each other.

Front 2

Neurohormones

Back 2

Brain substances that act like hormones and are released by neurons into the circulatory system.

Things in the brain that are like hormones and put in the circulatory system by neurons.

Front 3

Neuromodulator

Back 3

A substance that modifies or regulates the effect of neurotransmitter.

Something that helps with the regulation of neurotransmitters.

Front 4

Agonist

Back 4

A drug that mimics the endogenous actions of the targeted neurotransmitter.

A drug that works with a receptor to create a physiological response.

Front 5

Antagonist

Back 5

A drug that blocks actions of an endogenous neurotransmitter.

A drug that stops the endogenous neurotransmitter from doing things.

Front 6

Dopamine

Back 6

The resulting neurotransmitter when dopa reacts with the enzyme dopa decarboxylase. This is an important neurotransmitter involved in movement and brain reward systems.

Substance found in a neurotransmitter that helps with movement and brain reward systems.

Front 7

Catecholamines

Back 7

A group of 3 different amine neurotransmitters that contain catechol. These three neurotransmitters are dopamine, norepinephrine, and epinephrine (also called adrenaline).

Group of amine neurotransmitters that have catechol in them (which is a chemical).

Front 8

Reuptake

Back 8

The return of spent neurotransmitter from the synapse to the presynaptic neuron by means of specialized receptors.

the absorption by a presynaptic nerve ending of a neurotransmitter that it has secreted.

Front 9

Serotonin (or 5-hydroxytryptamine [5-HT])

Back 9

A major neurotransmitter involved in mood, aggression, and appetite regulation.

A type of neurotransmitter the regulated mood, aggression and appetite regulation.

Front 10

Tryptophan

Back 10

The amino acid from which the neurotransmitter serotonin is derived. The availability of tryptophan in the extracellular fluid of neurons regulates the synthesis of serotonin.

An amino acid that is a constituent of most proteins.

Front 11

Glutamine

Back 11

A principal excitatory neurotransmitter that regulates cortical and subcortical functions.

An essential amino acid.

Front 12

Gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA)

Back 12

An amino acid that acts as an inhibitory neurotransmitter in the central nervous system.

Amino acid that acts to inhibit the transmission of nerve impulses in the central nervous system.

Front 13

Kainate Receptor

Back 13

A subgroup of glutamate receptors whose functional role is not clearly understood but which has been related to hippocampal plasticity.

A small group of glutamate receptors who we are not sure what they do but are know to help with hippocampal plasticity.

Front 14

Neurotoxicity

Back 14

Neural damage due to some threat presented to the nervous tissue such as toxins, low oxygen, and decreased glucose.

Damage to nerves from issues in the nervous system caused by toxins, low oxygen and decreased glucose.

Front 15

Benzodiazepines

Back 15

A class of drugs that increases the frequency of C1- channel openings in the presence of GABA

Typically a type of tranquilizer, used to calm people down.

Front 16

Barbiturates

Back 16

Psychoactive drugs that act as CNS depressants, producing a wide array of effects ranging from relaxation to coma.

sedative drug.

Front 17

Glycine

Back 17

An excitatory amino acid that mediates most CNS synapses along with glutamate and GABA.

Naturally occuring amino acid.

Front 18

Endogenous Opioids

Back 18

Naturally occuring neurotransmiter-like substances found in the brain that produce analgesic and euphoric effects similar to heroin and morphine.

Naturally occurs in the brain that makes a person feel high.

Front 19

Endorphin

Back 19

An opioid-like substance produced in the hypothalamus and elsewhere that is related to pain reduction and reward but also facilitates the release of epinephrine from the adrenal medulla during the stress response.

Hormones secreted into the brain that is a stress response.

Front 20

Oxytocin

Back 20

A posterior pituitary neuropeptide involved in complementary activities such as bonding, sexual behavior, and childbirth.

Hormone released in the pituitary gland that happens during childbirth and sexual activity.

Front 21

Arginine Vasopressin

Back 21

A neuropeptide that is secreted by the posterior pituitary gland and by nerve endings in the hypothalamus. It affects learning functions and water resorption in mammals.

This neuropeptide is put out from the back pituitary gland and affects learning and water resorption.

Front 22

Fight or flight response

Back 22

The sympathetic branch of the autonomic nervous system triggers this response that prepares the animal to either fight the stressor or flee from the stressor.

Stress response where the animal confronts the stress or runs away from it.

Front 23

Cortisol

Back 23

The stress hormone secreted by the adrenal cortex in primates.

Hormone produced by adrenal cortex and helps with inflammation.

Front 24

Psychoactive Drugs

Back 24

Drugs that produce a noticeable change in mood or perception.

Drugs that influence and change our brain by changing our mood or how we see things.

Front 25

Affinity

Back 25

The strength of attraction that a neurotransmitter has for a particular type of receptor.

How much a neurotransmitter is attracted to different receptors.