Question

2 essay 2 points cocaine has two effects on synaptic transmission: it impairs reuptake of dopamine and it causes more dopamine to be released into the synaptic cleft. would cocaine be classified as an agonist or antagonist? why?

Explanation:

An agonist is a substance that enhances the action of a neurotransmitter. Cocaine impairs dopamine reuptake (so more dopamine stays in the synaptic cleft) and causes more dopamine release. This increases dopamine's effect at synapses, matching agonist behavior (agonists mimic or enhance neurotransmitter action; antagonists block it).

Answer:

Cocaine would be classified as an agonist. Because an agonist enhances the action of a neurotransmitter: cocaine both increases dopamine release into the synaptic cleft and impairs its reuptake, thereby increasing dopamine's effect at synapses (agonists promote neurotransmitter - mediated signaling, while antagonists inhibit it).