Question

9/30 awakenings response #1
douglas arthur - 7:31 am
8 points
dr. sayer (robin williams) suspects that a drug, l - dopa, may have an effect on the catatonic patients.

1. in your own words, what does catatonic mean?
2. do some quick research. what neurotransmitter does l - dopa mimic? what is an agonist drug?

Explanation:

1. Catatonic refers to a state in which a person shows marked psychomotor disturbances. There may be stupor, mutism, posturing, or purposeless over - activity.
2. L - dopa mimics dopamine. An agonist drug is a substance that binds to a receptor and activates it to produce a biological response, similar to the action of the body's own neurotransmitter.

Answer:

1. Catatonic means a state of marked psychomotor disturbances including stupor, mutism, posturing or over - activity.
2. L - dopa mimics dopamine. An agonist drug is a substance that activates a receptor to produce a biological response like the body's own neurotransmitter.