Sample Terms for Chapter 4

(revised 30 October 2001 14:37 EST)

Following are some of the terms you need to know in preparation for the second exam and for the remainder of the course. This is not an exhaustive list but rather only a small sample of the terms and concepts from Chapter 4.

Basic Terms

ligand
binding site
receptor
affinity
efficacy
potency
dose-response analysis
ED₅₀
LD₅₀
therapeutic index
agonist
antagoinist
tolerance
sensitization/reverse tolerance
precursor loading
synthesis inhibitor

Neurotransmitter Synthesis and Degradation Pathways

Acetylcholine
Catecholamines

Neurotransmitter Agonists and Antagonists

amphetamine
atropine
Botulinum toxin
clonidine
cocaine
curare
desmethylimipramine (desimpramine)
haloperidol
hemicholinium
neostigmine
nicotine
sarin

Neurotransmitter Systems

A₉ (nigrostriatal) dopamine system
A₁₀ dopamine (mesolimbic & mesocortical) system