Question

The club drug Ecstasy increases the release of serotonin into the synapse. By contrast, the antianxiety drug and sleep aid Trazodone blocks the effects of serotonin at the receptor site. Ecstasy is a serotonin _____, whereas Trazodone is a serotonin _____.

Answer 1

Answer:

agonist; antagonist                  

Explanation:

An agonist is a chemical or a substance which initiates a psychological response when it binds with the receptor. It combines with a cell receptor to produce certain reaction which is typical for that substance.

An antagonist is any substance that interferes with response.

Agonist and antagonist functions opposite to each other. An agonist is used to produce an action whereas an antagonist is used to oppose any action.

In the context, the use of Ecstasy increases serotonin in the synapse whereas the use of Trazodone opposes the effect of serotonin. Here Ecstasy works as a serotonin agonist while Trazodone is a serotonin anagonist.