bio lecture 4

Question 1

What do psychoactive drugs alter?

Answer 1

Brain function and behaviour by affecting neurotransmitter systems.

Question 2

Name the categories of psychoactive drugs.

Answer 2

• Stimulants
• Depressants
• Opioids
• Hallucinogens

Question 3

What are examples of stimulants?

Answer 3

• Cocaine
• Amphetamines
• Caffeine
• Nicotine

Question 4

What are examples of depressants?

Answer 4

• Alcohol
• Benzodiazepines

Question 5

What are examples of opioids?

Answer 5

• Heroin
• Morphine

Question 6

What are examples of hallucinogens?

Answer 6

• LSD
• Psilocybin

Question 7

What is the typical administration method for cocaine?

Answer 7

Typically snorted (powder) or smoked (crack).

Question 8

What is the biological half-life of cocaine?

Answer 8

30-90 minutes.

Question 9

What are the short-term effects of cocaine?

Answer 9

• Euphoria
• Energy
• Confidence
• Talkativeness
• Alertness
• Attention

Question 10

How does cocaine affect neurotransmitter recycling?

Answer 10

Blocks reuptake channels, preventing monoamines from being recycled and keeping them in the synaptic cleft for longer.

Question 11

What is the mechanism of action of cocaine?

Answer 11

Works at mono-aminergic synapses, blocking reuptake channels for monoamines.

Question 12

What are the long-term effects of cocaine use?

Answer 12

• Neurotransmitter depletion leading to crash
• Increased tolerance to desired effects
• Sensitization to negative effects

Question 13

What schizophrenia-like symptoms can cocaine cause?

Answer 13

• Hallucinations
• Paranoia
• Mood disturbances
• Repetitive behaviours

Question 14

What physiological damage can cocaine cause?

Answer 14

• Destruction of nasal septum
• Sexual dysfunction

Question 15

What is the legal status of cocaine in the UK?

Answer 15

Class A Drug: Up to 7 years for possession, life sentence for dealing.

Question 16

What forms do amphetamines come in?

Answer 16

• Speed (D-amphetamine)
• Crystal Meth (Methamphetamine)
• Ecstasy (MDMA)
• Cathinone derivatives (Mephedrone, Methadrone, Methylone)

Question 17

What are the short-term effects of amphetamines?

Answer 17

• Euphoria
• Confidence
• Talkativeness
• Alertness

Question 18

What are the long-term effects of amphetamines?

Answer 18

• Hallucinations
• Paranoia
• Repetitive behaviors

Question 19

What is the legal status of amphetamines and cathinones in the UK?

Answer 19

Class B: 5 years for possession, 14 years for dealing.

Question 20

What is Ritalin (Methylphenidate) used for?

Answer 20

Used to treat ADHD.

Question 21

What are the short-term effects of caffeine?

Answer 21

• Increases alertness
• Stimulates heart rate
• Shakes
• Constricts blood vessels

Question 22

What is the biological half-life of caffeine?

Answer 22

3.5-5 hours.

Question 23

What are the long-term effects of caffeine?

Answer 23

• Sleep deprivation
• Caffeine dependence

Question 24

What is the mechanism of action of caffeine?

Answer 24

Blocks adenosine receptors.

Question 25

What are the short-term effects of nicotine?

Answer 25

* Increases heart rate * Reduces muscle tone * Suppresses appetite * Induces vomiting

Question 26

What is the half-life of nicotine in chronic smokers?

Answer 26

~2 hours.

Question 27

What are the long-term effects of nicotine?

Answer 27

* Tolerance develops quickly * Contributes to cardiovascular disease * Lung cancer

Question 28

What is the legal status of nicotine in the UK?

Answer 28

Legal for adults (18+), banned for minors.

Question 29

What are the short-term effects of alcohol?

Answer 29

* Euphoria * Reduced anxiety * Intoxication * Memory impairment

Question 30

What is the mechanism of action of alcohol?

Answer 30

* enhances at GABA-A receptors-> inhibtory * blocks at NMDA receptors-> blocks exitatory (glutamate) causes drowsyness

Question 31

What are the long-term effects of alcohol?

Answer 31

* Liver damage * Brain damage * Foetal alcohol syndrome

Question 32

What is the legal status of alcohol in the UK?

Answer 32

Legal for 18+.

Question 33

True or False: Stimulants increase CNS activity.

Answer 33

True.

Question 34

Fill in the blank: Many drugs target the _______ reward system, leading to psychological addiction.

Answer 34

[dopamine]

Question 35

What is the role of auto-receptors?

Answer 35

Bind the neurotransmitter and signal to the presynaptic terminal to reduce release.

Question 36

What is the role of reuptake channels?

Answer 36

Pump the neurotransmitter into the presynaptic terminal for recycling.