Question

Cocaine acts:

a. by blocking biogenic amine vesicular transporters.
b. by blocking dopamine reuptake.
c. as an mao inhibitor.
d. on gabaa receptors.
e. by blocking serotonin reuptake.

Answer 1

Cocaine acts as an agonist by blocking the reuptake of dopamine, increasing its activity in the brain which contributes to its stimulant effects and addictive properties.

Step-by-step explanation:

Cocaine acts predominantly by blocking dopamine reuptake, which increases dopamine levels in the synaptic cleft and enhances its action at the postsynaptic receptors. This action leads to a significant increase in dopamine activity within brain circuits involved in reward and pleasure, contributing to the drug's stimulant effects and its high potential for addiction. Given that cocaine increases neurotransmitter activity, it would be classified as an agonist. Agonists are substances that increase the activity of neurotransmitters; in cocaine's case, it prevents the reabsorption (reuptake) of dopamine by neurons, allowing more dopamine to remain in the synapse and continuously stimulate neighboring neurons.