Athabasca University (AU )

1. For metabolism in multicellular organisms to proceed efficiently, it is important that the final products be gases, water, or both. Why? To maintain metabolism in a steady state, there must be no possibility of a build–up of final products. The easiest disposal products are the multicellular organism’s universal solvent, gases, or both. 2. Look at the two starred reactions in the lesson just covered (the redox reactions involving NADH and O2). Compare the tendency of NADH to donate ...

Units 1-5 - Memorize all 20 amino acids - Memorize what all the complex carbs look like and a few facts about them - Know Michaleis-Menton graph and be able to identify type of enzyme inhibitor - Be able to explain how to get Vmax and Km from Lineweaver-Burk - Know how to translate DNA to mRNA and know the peptide that would be translated o do not need to memorize codons - Outline steps of translation - Know about all categories of: o Lipids o Active/passive transport o Plasmids o Re...

Chapter 8 provides an extensive overview of the roles of the neurotransmitters glutamate and GABA in the central nervous system. It delves into these neurotransmitters' synthesis, release, and inactivation processes, emphasizing their critical functions in excitatory and inhibitory neural transmission, respectively. The chapter highlights the mechanisms of excitotoxicity caused by excessive glutamate stimulation, which can lead to neuronal damage and death. This phenomenon is implicated in vari...

Chapter 7 on acetylcholine provides a comprehensive overview of the role and mechanisms of this essential neurotransmitter. It discusses the synthesis of acetylcholine (ACh) by the enzyme choline acetyltransferase from choline and acetyl coenzyme A and how its production is influenced by precursor availability and neuronal activity. The chapter also covers the storage and release of ACh in synaptic vesicles and the impact of various drugs and toxins on these processes, highlighting the effects o...

Chapter 6 - Serotonin provides a comprehensive overview of serotonin, covering its synthesis, release, inactivation, and functional roles within the brain and body. The chapter begins with a detailed explanation of serotonin synthesis, emphasizing the conversion of tryptophan to serotonin through the action of specific enzymes like tryptophan hydroxylase (TPH) and aromatic amino acid decarboxylase (AADC). It highlights the importance of dietary tryptophan and discusses various factors affecting ...

Chapter 5 focuses on catecholamines, a group of neurotransmitters that include dopamine, norepinephrine, and epinephrine. The chapter begins by discussing the synthesis of catecholamines, outlining the multi-step biochemical pathways that convert tyrosine to dopamine, norepinephrine, and epinephrine. It emphasizes the role of specific enzymes, such as tyrosine hydroxylase, which catalyzes the rate-limiting step in catecholamine synthesis. The regulation of these synthetic pathways is also covere...

Chapter 4 of the document "Techniques in Behavioral Pharmacology" focuses on various methodologies utilized to evaluate animal behaviour in the context of behavioural pharmacology. The chapter emphasizes the importance of animal studies for understanding the neurochemical basis of behaviour and developing models for psychiatric disorders. Techniques discussed include simple behavioural observation, motor activity measures, and operant conditioning. The chapter highlights how these methods allo...

Chapter 3 delves into the intricate mechanisms of chemical signalling by neurotransmitters and hormones within the nervous system. It begins with the basic concepts of synaptic transmission, highlighting the directionality from presynaptic to postsynaptic cells and the structural components of synapses, such as axodendritic and axosomatic synapses. The chapter further explores neurotransmitters' synthesis, release, and inactivation, noting the diverse chemical classes, including amino acids, mo...

Chapter 2 of the document explores the structure and function of the nervous system, focusing on the fundamental roles of neurons and glial cells. It begins by discussing the differentiation of embryonic stem cells into neurons and glial cells, which provide essential support to neurons. The chapter outlines the major external features of neurons, including the soma, dendrites, and axon, and emphasizes the significance of the semipermeable membrane, mitochondria, and ATP synthesis in neuron func...

Chapter 1 of the document delves into the fundamental aspects of pharmacology, the science of drug action. It highlights the historical use of plants in medicine, referencing ancient Egyptian and Indian texts that detail remedies for various ailments. The chapter also emphasizes the ongoing reliance on herbal medicines in many parts of the world, including the United States, where natural products were prominent in the late 1990s. It introduces specialized fields, such as neuropharmacology and p...