Question

Cocaine has two effects on synaptic transmission: it impairs reuptake of dopamine and it causes more dopamine to be released into the synapse. would cocaine be classified as an agonist or antagonist? why?

Answer 1

Cocaine is an indirect agonist of dopamine receptors which means he has no specific agonist activity at the dopamine receptor but he enhances his activity. Cocaine acts by binding to the dopamine transporter, blocking the removal of dopamine from the synapse and blocking termination of dopamine signalling. As a result, it increases the extracellular concentration of dopamine and therefore signal to the receiving neurons is amplified.

Answer 2

Cocaine has two effects on synaptic transmission and is classified as an agonist.

Further Explanation:

Agonists are chemicals that generally mimic the neurotransmitter at a site of the receptor. On the other hand, antagonists are referred to as a chemical that impedes or blocks the normal functioning of the neurotransmitter at the site of the receptor. Cocaine is a drug that causes a large number of neurotransmitters to stay in the synapse for a very long period of time. They bind to the transporter protein present on the presynaptic membrane that removes dopamine from the synaptic cleft. Then, eventually,dopamine remains in the cleft and repeatedly stimulates the receptors. Exposure to a constant chemical stimulus for a prolonged period affects brain receptors. The stimulation experienced by the brain is decreased and gradually, there is a complete loss of the stimulus. Cocaine is considered as an agonist this is because by inhibiting the enzymatic degradation of neurotransmitters, it rises the probable time that these “neurotransmitters” may be active in the synapse.

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Answer Details:

Grade: High School

Subject: Biology

Chapter: Central Nervous System

Keywords:

Cocaine, neurotransmitter, agonist, antagonist, long period, cleft, degradation, chemical, prolonged, synapse, mimic, constant, block, drug.