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Date November 2019 Marks available 6 Reference code 19N.3.HL.TZ0.8
Level Higher level Paper Paper 3 Time zone TZ0 / no time zone
Command term Explain Question number 8 Adapted from N/A

Question

Explain the effect of a named stimulant drug on the nervous system. 

Markscheme

General effects of any stimulant drugs[3 max]
a. addictive/causes tolerance/addiction ✔

b. increase dopamine release ✔

c. speed up activity of CNS/alertness/euphoria/suppress appetite ✔

d. have symptoms of withdrawal when stop «chronic» use ✔

Drug name[1 mark] 
e. name of «chosen» stimulant drug ✔ Award this mark for a stimulant drug only, e.g. nicotine, cocaine or amphetamines.

Cocaine:
f. chronic use may cause psychological craving/paranoia/arrhythmia/hypertension/stroke ✔

g. cocaine attaches to dopamine pumps/transporters «on presynaptic membrane»
OR
blocks uptake/recycling
OR
causes dopamine to persist in the synaptic cleft ✔

h. amplifies synaptic transmission
OR
causes constant stimulation of postsynaptic neuron ✔

Nicotine:
f. nicotine stimulates synaptic transmission of cholinergic synapses ✔

g. causes strong mood changes ✔

h. large doses have a calming effect ✔

Amphetamines: Accept ecstasy instead
f. chronic use can «permanently» damage dopamine system
OR
cause problems with memory/learning ✔

g. amphetamines/ecstasy stimulate synaptic transmission of adrenergic synapses ✔

h. longer lasting effect than cocaine ✔

Award [3 max] for either cocaine, nicotine or amphetamines. Mark only the first drug explained.

Examiners report

[N/A]

Syllabus sections

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

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