Synapses Research Paper

The cell body comprises of the nucleus and other organelles (Ward, 2010). The nucleus contains the genetic code, and this is involved with protein synthesis (He, 2013). The dendrites receive information from other neurons which are located in a close proximity (Kalat, 1995). The terminal of an axon compresses into a disc-shaped structure (Gross, 2010). This is where chemical signals also known as a neurotransmitter permit interaction amongst neurons, by means of a minute gap named a synapse (Martin, Carlson & Buskit, 2013). Both neurons which form the synapse are referred to as a presynaptic synapse (prior to the synapse) and postsynaptic (after the synapse), reflecting the direction of information flow (from axon to dendrite), (He, 2013).

Neurotransmitters send messages to different parts of the body that trigger certain behaviors. For example, acetylcholine is a neurotransmitter that has an effect on movement by being released to muscle cell receptors that cause muscles to contract. Researchers have found that the brain produces its own opiates and therefore certain drugs can trigger them. The problem with this is that the brain begins to rely on those drugs and stops producing their own natural opiates. This can cause struggle and lead to addiction. Certain drugs alter neurotransmitters by either mimicking or blocking them. Agonist molecules can bind to a similar neurotransmitter to mimic and enhance its effects, while antagonists bind to neurotransmitters but block its

Drugs have the ability to alter the transmission of a neuron that causes a person to change their state of being. These drugs may have some medical uses that may treat diseases or elevate moods, however there are some drugs that are used recreationally that also elevate moods but do not offer any medical usage. For other living beings, they are used for self-defense against other predators and these chemicals that inject can also alter the state of mind and even death.

|  These are chemicals that transmit signals across a synapse from one neuron to another neuron. Most neurotransmitters are about the size of larger proteins or peptides.

Drugs are chemicals that affect the brain by tapping into its communication system and interfering with the way neurons normally send, receive, and process information. Some drugs, such as marijuana and heroin, can activate neurons because their chemical structure mimics that of a natural neurotransmitter. This similarity in structure “fools” receptors and allows the drugs to attach onto and activate the neurons. Although these drugs mimic the brain’s own chemicals, they don’t activate neurons in the same way as a natural neurotransmitter, and they lead to abnormal messages being transmitted through the network.

The main components of the synapses are as follows: The Axon terminal, found at the end of the Axon, passes neurotransmitters to other neurons via synaptic transmission. Synaptic Vesicles contain neurotransmitters within the Axon. Neurotransmitters themselves are chemical messengers that travel through the neurons and activate receptors on the receiving cell. The neurotransmitters are diffused through the synaptic cleft—a region between the two neurons and gap the neurotransmitter needs to cross to make it to the receiving cell. Said receiving cell is what receives the neurotransmitters and starts the process over again. The receptors on the cell are structures that receive the neurotransmitters and

A synapse is a link where neurons communicate with other cells across narrow gaps using neurotransmitters or pulses (I learned this in my biology course last semester).

Drugs are chemicals they work in the brain by tapping into the brain's communication system and interfering with the way nerve cells normally send, receive, and process information. Some drugs, such as marijuana and heroin, can activate neurons because their chemical structure mimics that of a natural neurotransmitter. This fools receptors and allows the drugs to lock onto and activate the nerve cells. Although these drugs mimic brain chemicals, they don't activate nerve cells in the same way as a natural neurotransmitter, and they lead to abnormal messages being transmitted through the network.

Some drugs work by mimicking or otherwise affecting neurotransmitters in the brain. Provide an example of a drug that does this, and how it works. Be specific, for example talk about what happens to the neurons, synapse, reuptake, etc. 10 pts.

Drugs are chemicals. When someone puts chemicals into their body the chemicals tap into the brains communication center and change the way brain cells process information. Drugs work on the brain in two ways: imitating the brains natural chemical messengers, and over stimulating the "reward " circuit of the brain.

An individual’s behavior and emotion becomes chemically altered often resulting in dependency, aggression, onset of diseases and poor judgement. This poses a dangerous threat to the neurotransmitters since they have multiple jobs in different parts of the brain. Drugs of abuse are able to exert influence over the brain reward pathway either by directly influencing the action of dopamine within the system, or by altering the activity of other neurotransmitters that exert a modulatory influence over this pathway. These drugs are often powerful and have been known to trigger schizophrenic behavior and can also cause a person to cease breathing, for example hallucinogens such as LSD, mescaline, and psilocybin are able to artificially stimulate the serotonin receptor (Sapolsky, 2005).

Long term case-control studies with the focus on the development of autistic brains have reported a rise in head growth during the first year in children suffering from autism. In early childhood, the growth of the head is tightly linked to the brain growth, which has shown an overgrowth in an autistic brain.

Drugs of abuse, such as cocaine, ecstasy, heroin and cannabis, are of natural or synthetic origin, which can alter the emotional state, perception, body functioning and behaviour of an individual. Drugs are known to work in the brain by activating certain brain circuits via different mechanisms, and stimulate or inhibit different neurons in the pathway. However, due to the effects of each drug being different, a drug will affect either different pathways and neurons in the brain to that of another, or through a different process, i.e. direct or indirect activity. This essay will discuss the different mechanisms of action that cocaine, ecstasy, heroin and

By behavioral mechanism of drug action, we refer to a description of a drug's effect on a given behavioral system (1ocus) expressed in terms of some more general set of environmental principles regulating behavior. Specifying the behavioral mechanism(s) responsible for an observed effect involves: a) identifying the environmental variables which typically regulate the behavior in question, and b) characterizing the manner in which the influence of those variables iS altered by the drug. In some Instances, the drug

These agents interact with receptors found in the central nervous system to bring about alterations in physiological or psychological functions.