In His First Year of College, Ronald Began to Behave

question 186

Multiple Choice

In his first year of college, Ronald began to behave irrationally and hear voices that were not really there. A psychiatrist diagnosed him as having schizophrenia and prescribed a drug to reduce the psychosis Ronald was experiencing. The intended effect of the drug is likely to:

• A) elevate the levels of norepinephrine and serotonin in the brain.
• B) block or reduce the sensitivity of dopamine receptors.
• C) increase dopamine activity in the brain.
• D) block the reuptake of norepinephrine by neurons.

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Definitions:

Family History Studies

Research that examines patterns of illness within families to identify genetic or environmental factors that contribute to the likelihood of developing certain diseases or conditions.

Dizygotic Twins

Twins that develop from two different eggs fertilized by two different sperm cells, also known as fraternal twins.

Genes

Units of heredity made up of DNA, residing in the chromosomes; they are responsible for guiding the cell in making proteins and determining an organism's inherited traits.

Adoption Studies

Research that compares biologically related people, including twins, who have been reared either separately or together, to understand genetic and environmental influences.