PSYC Unit 5 AP Questions

Pharmacological Terms

• Antagonists block receptors in the brain; for example, tricyclic antidepressants block serotonin and norepinephrine transporters.
• Agonists mimic or enhance the effects of neurotransmitters; relevant example: drugs that amplify neurotransmitter activity.

Reuptake and Neurotransmitters

• Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) block the reabsorption of serotonin, increasing its availability in the synapse.
• Reuptake is the process where neurotransmitters are reabsorbed into the neuron after being released.

Brain Function and Structure

• Brain lateralization indicates that certain cognitive processes may be specialized to one hemisphere, reflecting brain functional specialization.
• Paul Broca identified speech production deficits, leading to the term Broca's aphasia, connecting lesion location in the left frontal cortex to speech difficulties.

Brain Regions and Functions

• The pons plays a dual role in regulating sleep and arousal while serving as a bridge between brain hemispheres.
• Alcohol, classified as a depressant, has a calming effect on the central nervous system, contrasting with stimulants that increase activity.

Sleep and Dreaming

• Lucid dreaming allows individuals to recognize they are dreaming, enhancing dream awareness.
• Withdrawal symptoms, such as headaches from caffeine, arise when a dependent user abstains from a substance after prolonged use, highlighting the body's adaptation to the drug.

Additional Concepts

• Tolerance develops when a user requires more of a substance to achieve the same effect due to repeated use, illustrating the body's adjustment to drugs.
• Dependence occurs when physiological or psychological symptoms manifest upon cessation of a drug, reflecting a deeper interaction with the body's chemistry.