Addiction Biology
Mediumbiology
Nicotine primarily stimulates release of which neurotransmitter contributing to addiction?
Select the correct option:
Solution
Incorrect! Answer:
Dopamine
- Mechanism of Nicotine: Nicotine acts as an agonist for nicotinic acetylcholine receptors in the brain.
- Reward Pathway: Activation of these receptors in the ventral tegmental area (VTA) leads to the release of Dopamine in the nucleus accumbens.
- Addiction: Dopamine is the 'feel-good' neurotransmitter associated with pleasure and reward. This surge in dopamine reinforces smoking behavior, leading to dependence and addiction.
- Other Neurotransmitters: While nicotine can affect GABA, serotonin, and glutamate, the primary reinforcement and addictive drive are mediated by the dopaminergic reward system.
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About This Question
- Subject
- biology
- Chapter
- biology and human welfare
- Topic
- addiction biology
- Difficulty
- Medium
- Year
- 2025
Solution
Correct Answer:
Dopamine
- Mechanism of Nicotine: Nicotine acts as an agonist for nicotinic acetylcholine receptors in the brain.
- Reward Pathway: Activation of these receptors in the ventral tegmental area (VTA) leads to the release of Dopamine in the nucleus accumbens.
- Addiction: Dopamine is the 'feel-good' neurotransmitter associated with pleasure and reward. This surge in dopamine reinforces smoking behavior, leading to dependence and addiction.
- Other Neurotransmitters: While nicotine can affect GABA, serotonin, and glutamate, the primary reinforcement and addictive drive are mediated by the dopaminergic reward system.
This medium difficulty biology question is from the chapter biology and human welfare, covering the topic of addiction biology. It appeared in the 2025 exam.
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