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Date November 2016 Marks available 6 Reference code 16N.3.HL.TZ0.8
Level Higher level Paper Paper 3 Time zone TZ0
Command term Explain Question number 8 Adapted from N/A

Question

General anesthetics act on the neurotransmitters in neuron synapses. Explain the effect of anesthetics on patients and how they affect synaptic transmission.

Markscheme

a. patient loses awareness/does not feel pain/analgesia

b. interfere/block neural/synaptic transmission between «areas of» sensory perception and the CNS
OR
block «sensory» neural pathways to the brain that detect pain

c. increase presynaptic inhibition
OR
block receptors on the presynaptic membrane

d. increase release of inhibitory neurotransmitters
OR
prevent release of excitatory neurotransmitters

e. inhibit binding of neurotransmitters «to receptors» on postsynaptic membrane

f. decrease «likelyhood of» depolarization of the postsynaptic neuron
OR
hyperpolarize the postsynaptic neuron

g. prevent propagation of action potential on the postsynaptic neuron

h. vital physiological functions/breathing/maintenance of blood pressure continue to function

i. the effects are reversible

j. anesthetics mimic effect/stimulate release of endorphins «which are natural painkillers»/OWTTE

Examiners report

[N/A]

Syllabus sections

Option A: Neurobiology and behaviour » Option A: Neurobiology and behaviour (Additional higher level topics) » A.5 Neuropharmacology
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