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Syllabus

A.5 Neuropharmacology

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

Description

Nature of science:
Assessing risks associated with scientific research—patient advocates will often press for the speeding up of drug approval processes, encouraging more tolerance of risk. (4.5)

Understandings:

Some neurotransmitters excite nerve impulses in postsynaptic neurons and others inhibit them.
Nerve impulses are initiated or inhibited in post-synaptic neurons as a result of summation of all excitatory and inhibitory neurotransmitters received from presynaptic neurons.
Many different slow-acting neurotransmitters modulate fast synaptic transmission in the brain.
Memory and learning involve changes in neurons caused by slow-acting neurotransmitters.
Psychoactive drugs affect the brain by either increasing or decreasing postsynaptic transmission.
Anesthetics act by interfering with neural transmission between areas of sensory perception and the CNS.
Stimulant drugs mimic the stimulation provided by the sympathetic nervous system.
Addiction can be affected by genetic predisposition, social environment and dopamine secretion.

Applications and skills:

Application: Effects on the nervous system of two stimulants and two sedatives.
Application: The effect of anesthetics on awareness.
Application: Endorphins can act as painkillers.
Skill: Evaluation of data showing the impact of MDMA (ecstasy) on serotonin and dopamine metabolism in the brain.

Guidance:

Examples of stimulants are nicotine, cocaine or amphetamines.
Examples of sedatives are benzodiazepines, alcohol or tetrahydrocannabinol (THC).

International-mindedness:

Attitudes to drugs and the use of drugs differ globally. There are many cultures that use drugs to enhance rituals or religious experiences.

Utilization:

Many psychoactive drugs have been used therapeutically to treat a range of mental illnesses and psychological disorders.

Syllabus and cross-curricular links:
Chemistry
Option D Medicinal chemistry
Topic D1 Pharmaceutical products and drug action
Topic D3 Opiates
Psychology
Core: Biological level of analysis

Aims:

Aim 8: The social consequences of psychoactive drugs could be considered, for the user, his or her family and the wider society.

Directly related questions

16N.3.HL.TZ0.8: General anesthetics act on the neurotransmitters in neuron synapses. Explain the effect of...
17M.3.HL.TZ2.6b: Dopamine acts as a slow-acting neurotransmitter. Outline one function of slow-acting...
17M.3.HL.TZ1.7: Explain, using examples, the neurological effects of inhibitory psychoactive drugs.
17M.3.HL.TZ2.6a: The diagram shows the mechanism of action of the psychoactive drug cocaine. Suggest how...
20N.3.HL.TZ0.9:
Explain how psychoactive drugs affect the nervous system.
17N.3.HL.TZ0.05b:
Explain the use of a local anesthetic during surgery to remove the cataract.
18N.3.HL.TZ0.6d: Outline the effects of slow-acting neurotransmitters.
18M.3.HL.TZ2.7c: With reference to the withdrawal of the siphon in Aplysia californica, explain the concept of...
18M.3.HL.TZ1.7a: Drug misuse and abuse are major health problems in the world. The diagram shows the correlation...
18M.3.HL.TZ1.7b:
Addiction may be affected by social environment. Outline one other named factor that can affect addiction to drugs.
18M.3.HL.TZ2.7d: Amphetamines act on synapses that use dopamine as a neurotransmitter by increasing the release of...
19M.3.HL.TZ2.8:
Discuss the effect of endorphins on the central nervous system (CNS) and in pain relief.
19N.3.HL.TZ0.6c: Describe the main role of slow-acting neurotransmitters in memory and learning.
19N.3.HL.TZ0.8:
Explain the effect of a named stimulant drug on the nervous system.
19N.3.HL.TZ0.6b: Describe how local anesthetics act on the nervous system.
19N.3.HL.TZ0.6a: Define neurotransmitter.

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DP Biology Questionbank

A.5 Neuropharmacology

Description

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