IBDP Online Test Series By iitianacademy
Comprehensive Test Preparatory package targeted towards IBDP
Question
Compare the effects of cocaine and THC.
State one other example of an excitatory and an inhibitory psychoactive drug.
Excitatory drug: ……………………………………………..
Inhibitory drug: ……………………………………………..
Answer/Explanation
Markscheme
Answers do not need to be in a table format.
a. excitatory drug: nicotine / amphetamines/ other drug;
b. inhibitory drug: benzodiazepines / alcohol / other drug;
Question
List two examples of excitatory psychoactive drugs.
Outline the possible effects of excitatory drugs on mood and behaviour.
Discuss the causes of addiction to cocaine.
Answer/Explanation
Markscheme
nicotine;
cocaine;
amphetamines;
ecstasy;
Award [1] for any two. Consider the first two only, if there are more.
a. increases arousal/alertness;
b. feelings of excitement/euphoria;
c. aggressive behaviour;
d. loss of judgement/self-control;
e. social withdrawal/depression/dysfunction;
f. loss of appetite;
a. peer pressure / cultural traditions;
b. inherited / genetic predisposition;
c. social problems / trauma;
d. passed from mother to newborn/when breast feeding;
e. many stimulate synapses with dopamine as a transmitter / blocks re-uptake of dopamine;
f. pleasurable effects of dopamine/euphoria/regular use may lead to addiction;
g. increasingly large/more regular doses needed for effect;
Question
State two effects that presynaptic neurons can have on postsynaptic transmission.
1. …………………………………………………….
2. …………………………………………………….
Suggest causes of addiction to drugs.
Answer/Explanation
Markscheme
excite and inhibit (both needed)
a. dopamine stimulates brain’s reward system/pathways / addiction requires dopamine excess in brain;
b. inhibitory drugs/benzodiazepines/alcohol/drugs decrease neuron activity that inhibits dopamine release so brain becomes addicted;
c. excitatory drugs/cocaine/amphetamines/nicotine block removal of dopamine stimulating brain (reward system);
d. genetic component involved;
e. genetic tendency for addiction influenced by social factor/example of social factor (eg peer pressure, poverty, social deprivation, trauma, mental health problem/culture);
Question
The diagram below shows a synapse where the neurotransmitter is dopamine and some of the processes that take place during nerve transmission.
Explain the effect of cocaine on neurotransmission at a synapse.
Answer/Explanation
Markscheme
a. dopamine initiates depolarization of post-synaptic membrane;
b. cocaine binds to (transporter) carrier proteins/proteins in pre-synaptic membrane;
c. cocaine blocks reabsorption (of dopamine);
d. cocaine causes dopamine build up in synaptic cleft/space;
e. so stimulus continues/cocaine is excitatory;
Question
List two examples of inhibitory psychoactive drugs.
1.
2.
Answer/Explanation
Markscheme
benzodiazepines;
alcohol;
tetrahydrocannabinol / THC / marijuana;
Do not accept brand names.
| Date | May 2011 | Marks available | 3 | Reference code | 11M.3.SL.TZ1.15 |
| Level | Standard level | Paper | Paper 3 | Time zone | Time zone 1 |
| Command term | Explain | Question number | 15 | Adapted from | N/A |
Question
Explain the effects of psychoactive drugs on synaptic transmission.
Answer/Explanation
Markscheme
psychoactive drugs may increase or decrease transmission (to the post-synaptic membrane);
may increase the release/delay the breakdown/interfere with storage/uptake/reabsorption of neurotransmitters;
may mimic the action of neurotransmitters;
inhibitory drugs may reduce the effect of excitatory neurotransmitters / increase the effect/release of inhibitory neurotransmitters;
inhibitory drugs can hyperpolarize the post-synaptic neuron;
Question
State one example of an excitatory and one example of an inhibitory psychoactive drug.
Excitatory: …………………………………………………..
Inhibitory: …………………………………………………..
Discuss causes of addiction.
Answer/Explanation
Markscheme
excitatory: cocaine / nicotine / amphetamines;
inhibitory: benzodiazepines / alcohol / THC;
Accept other suitable examples.
addictive drugs trigger secretion of dopamine which causes feelings of pleasure/ well-being/reward / users become dependent on feelings;
genetic predisposition is most common with addiction to alcohol;
social factors affect the incidence of addiction;
it is not certain that a person who is genetically predisposed will develop addiction when exposed to the drug / OWTTE;
although many drugs are (potentially) addictive, not every user becomes an addict;
named social factors which must be explained:
e.g. cultural traditions / peer pressure;
social deprivation / traumatic life experiences / mental problems;
Question
Explain the effects of cocaine in terms of action at synapses in the brain.
Answer/Explanation
Markscheme
cocaine affects synapses using dopamine as neurotransmitter;
cocaine attaches to dopamine receptors on presynaptic membrane;
blocks dopamine transporters/prevents re-uptake / causes dopamine to persist in the synaptic cleft;
amplifies synaptic transmission / is an excitatory psychoactive drug / causes constant stimulation of postsynaptic neuron;
dopamine builds up in the synapse contributing to euphoria/pleasurable effects;
Question
Distinguish between innate and learned behaviour.
Outline the role of inheritance and learning in the development of birdsong in young birds.
Explain the effects of cocaine on mood and behaviour.
Answer/Explanation
Markscheme
innate behaviour develops independently of the environmental context/genetically
inherited and learned behaviour develops as a result of experience / OWTTE
young birds learn birdsong from parents/other adults;
young birds removed from parents capable of own song;
basic song template may be inherited;
learned birdsong is louder/richer;
(cocaine causes) dopamine build up in synapses / continuous neurotransmitter presence;
increased energy/alertness/feeling of euphoria/pleasure;
user becomes isolated/suspicious/less productive / alienates family and friends;
cocaine addiction/use may lead to crime/robbery to buy cocaine;
Question
Explain the effects of tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) in terms of its action at synapses in the brain.
Answer/Explanation
Markscheme
THC binds to cannabinoid receptor;
blocks release of (excitatory) neurotransmitter;
therefore it is inhibitory;
euphoria/anxiety/short-term memory loss/impaired coordination/pain relief;
extended use leading to social dysfunction/addiction;