Question 1

Drugs that slow the ongoing activity of the central nervous system are called:

Accepted Answer

Depressants are drugs that slow down the ongoing activity of the central nervous system, which includes brain and spinal cord. They can produce various effects such as sedation, relaxation, reduced coordination, and impaired cognitive and motor functions. Common examples of depressants are alcohol, benzodiazepines, and barbiturates.

Question 2

The part of the brain typically damaged after one uses the drug Ecstasy (also called MDMA) is involved in the production of which of the following?

Accepted Answer

The part of the brain typically damaged after taking MDMA is the serotonin-producing neurons in the brain, specifically in the raphe nuclei of the brainstem. MDMA increases the release of serotonin in the brain, leading to a depletion of serotonin in the long term, which has negative effects on mood, cognition, and behavior. This is why MDMA is classified as a serotonergic drug.

Question 3

Tito gets only a moderate effect from an amount of heroin that might kill a first-time user.This illustrates:

Accepted Answer

Tito's ability to tolerate higher amounts of heroin without experiencing the same effects as a first-time user is a classic example of tolerance. This occurs when the body becomes increasingly resistant to the effects of a drug due to repeated exposure, leading to the need for higher doses to achieve the same level of effect.

Question 4

For the past six months, Nicole has been taking a mild amphetamine to help her stay awake during double shifts at work.She has now stopped working the extras shifts, but she finds that if she doesn't continue to take the amphetamine she starts sweating and she develops bad tremors.This would suggest that Nicole:

Accepted Answer

Nicole's symptoms of sweating and tremors when she stops taking the amphetamine suggest that she has developed a drug dependency on the substance. This means that her body has become accustomed to the presence of the drug and has adapted to function with it. When the drug is no longer present, the body reacts negatively, leading to withdrawal symptoms. This is a hallmark of drug dependence. The other options (B, C, and D) do not fully explain Nicole's symptoms and are not as supported by the details in the scenario.

Question 5

Some psychoactive drugs help in the reduction of pain by inhibiting the release of substance P.These drugs:

Accepted Answer

Opiate drugs such as morphine, codeine, and fentanyl bind to opiate receptor sites in the brain and spinal cord, inhibiting the release of substance P and thereby reducing pain.

Question 6

A physical or psychological need for the continued use of a specific drug is called:

Accepted Answer

Drug dependency refers to the physical or psychological need for the continued use of a specific drug. Drug tolerance refers to the body's decreased response to a drug over time, and drug withdrawal refers to the symptoms that occur when a person stops using a drug. Drug habituation is a less commonly used term that can refer to either drug dependency or drug tolerance.

Question 7

A rat will press a response bar hundreds of times if bar pressing results in the administration of cocaine.Apparently, the pleasurable and reinforcing aspects of the drug are due to cocaine's effect on:

Accepted Answer

Cocaine increases dopamine levels in the brain, leading to increased feelings of pleasure and reinforcement of drug-seeking behavior.

Question 8

Physical reactions, such as sweating, vomiting, changes in heart rate, or tremors, that occur when a person stops taking certain drugs after continued use are called drug:

Accepted Answer

Withdrawal is the physical and psychological symptoms that occur when a person stops taking certain drugs after continued use. These symptoms include sweating, vomiting, changes in heart rate, or tremors. Tolerance is the need for increased amounts of a drug to achieve the same effect, habituation is a psychological dependence on a drug, and dependency is a broad term that can refer to both physical and psychological dependence on a drug.

Question 9

LSD (lysergic acid diethylamide) produces its effects by:

Accepted Answer

LSD mimics the action of serotonin, a neurotransmitter that regulates mood, appetite, and sensory perception. By binding to serotonin receptors, LSD alters the balance of neurotransmitters in the brain, leading to the characteristic hallucinations, altered sense of time, and other perceptual distortions associated with LSD use. LSD does not directly affect dopamine, acetylcholine, or endorphin levels.

Question 10

In general, heroin has:

Accepted Answer

Heroin has a high risk for both physical and psychological dependence. It binds to opioid receptors in the brain, triggering the release of dopamine, which creates feelings of pleasure and well-being. Over time, the brain becomes less responsive to normal levels of dopamine, leading to tolerance and the need for increasingly higher doses of heroin to achieve the same effects. This can quickly lead to physical dependence, which is characterized by unpleasant withdrawal symptoms when the drug is no longer present in the body. Additionally, heroin use can lead to psychological dependence, which is characterized by intense cravings and a preoccupation with using the drug. Both types of dependence can make it extremely difficult for individuals to stop using heroin once they start.

Question 11

Depressants are drugs that:

Accepted Answer

Depressants slow down the ongoing activity of the central nervous system. They include drugs such as alcohol, barbiturates, and benzodiazepines, among others. Depressants can cause sedation, drowsiness, and a decrease in both mental and physical activity.

Question 12

Alcohol, barbiturates, and tranquilizers are all examples of:

Accepted Answer

Alcohol, barbiturates, and tranquilizers all have a depressive effect on the central nervous system, resulting in decreased heart rate, impaired coordination, and slowed breathing. Therefore, they are all classified as depressants.

Question 13

Amphetamines produce their effects by:

Accepted Answer

Amphetamines increase the effectiveness of norepinephrine and dopamine by promoting their release and blocking their reuptake, leading to increased levels of these neurotransmitters in the brain. This is what produces the stimulant effects of amphetamines, such as increased alertness, energy, and focus.

Question 14

The prescription drug Xanax is an example of a:

Accepted Answer

Xanax belongs to a class of drugs called benzodiazepines, which are central nervous system depressants. They work by enhancing the activity of a neurotransmitter in the brain called GABA, resulting in a calming effect on the body and mind.

Question 15

Which of the following is an opiate?

Accepted Answer

Morphine is an opiate, whereas cocaine and psilocybin are not. Fluoxin is not a drug, whereas fluoxetine is an antidepressant.

Question 16

Cocaine produces its effects by:

Accepted Answer

Cocaine works by increasing the effectiveness of norepinephrine and dopamine in the brain, leading to feelings of euphoria and increased energy. This is because cocaine blocks the reuptake of these neurotransmitters, causing them to accumulate in the synaptic cleft and prolonging their effects. It does not affect serotonin or acetylcholine levels.

Question 17

The prescription drug Valium is an example of a:

Accepted Answer

Valium is a depressant, also known as a tranquilizer or benzodiazepine. It works by slowing down the central nervous system, which can help reduce anxiety, relax muscles, and induce sleep. It is not a stimulant, narcotic, or hallucinogen.

Question 18

Solomon used to experience occasional bouts of insomnia.Recently he started taking sleeping pills to help him overcome the insomnia.Now he finds that he cannot get to sleep unless he takes a sleeping pill.This would suggest that Solomon:

Accepted Answer

Solomon's inability to sleep without taking a sleeping pill suggests that he has developed a drug dependency on his sleeping pills. This means that his body has become accustomed to the presence of the drug, and he now needs it to function normally. This is different from drug tolerance or habituation, where the body becomes less responsive to the effects of a drug over time. If Solomon were experiencing drug withdrawal, he would likely be experiencing unpleasant symptoms when he stops taking the sleeping pills, which is not mentioned in the given information.

Question 19

When one has a drug dependency, one has:

Accepted Answer

A drug dependency is characterized by a physical or psychological need for the continued use of a specific drug. This means that the individual may experience withdrawal symptoms if they try to stop using the drug, making it difficult to quit. Dependency also increases tolerance to the drug, which means that the individual needs to take more of it to get the same effect as before.

Question 20

Phillip's doctor prescribed a strong opiate to dull the severe back pain Phillip suffered after an accident.When he stopped taking the drug, Phillip suffered from nausea and chills.These were symptoms of:

Accepted Answer

The symptoms of nausea and chills after stopping the opiate are indicative of withdrawal, which occurs when the body becomes dependent on a drug and experiences negative physical and psychological symptoms when that drug is no longer taken. Tolerance refers to the body's ability to become less responsive to a drug over time, requiring higher doses to achieve the same effect. Habituation and dishabituation refer to changes in behavior patterns due to repeated exposure to a stimulus, and are not relevant in this situation.

Quiz 6: Consciousness