Question

answer the following questions:

1. what happens to the concentration of dopamine in the brain when a rat is given sugar (a normal rewarding substance) that the brain produces?
2. compare the concentration of dopamine in the rat given floratryp with the levels of dopamine in the rat given sugar. similar or different?
3. compare the concentration of dopamine in the rat given floratryp with the levels of dopamine in the rat given cocaine. (similar or different?)
4. based on the results of this experiment, do you think that floratryp is addictive? explain why or why not.

part 3: does floratryp cause repetitive drug - seeking behavior?
to be considered addictive, a drug must activate the reward center and produce repetitive drug - seeking behavior. rats were placed in individual cages with a lever they could press that delivered a rewarding substance. each day (for 6 days), the rats were placed in the cages and observed. the number of times the rats pressed the levers was recorded every 5 minutes. the more lever pushes, the more addictive the substance.

Explanation:

1. When a rat is given sugar (a normal rewarding substance), the concentration of dopamine in the brain typically increases as dopamine is associated with the brain's reward - system.
2. Without specific data on dopamine levels for rats given sugar and Floratryp, we can only make a general comparison. If Floratryp acts as a rewarding substance, its dopamine - increasing effect might be similar to sugar if it activates similar reward - pathways, but could be different if it has a different mode of action.
3. Cocaine is a well - known addictive drug that causes a significant increase in dopamine levels. Comparing Floratryp to cocaine in terms of dopamine levels, if Floratryp causes a similar large increase in dopamine, it may have addictive potential like cocaine, but if the increase is different, it may not be as addictive.
4. To determine if Floratryp is addictive based on the experiment, we need to consider if it causes the rats to show repetitive drug - seeking behavior (high lever presses). If the rats press the lever frequently when given Floratryp, it is likely addictive as it activates the reward center and leads to repetitive behavior. If not, it is less likely to be addictive.

Answer:

1. The concentration of dopamine in the brain typically increases.
2. Without data, it could be similar if it activates similar reward - pathways, different if not.
3. If it causes a similar large increase in dopamine, it may be similar in addictive potential; if different, not.
4. If rats press the lever frequently, it is likely addictive; if not, it is less likely.