Question

Stimulant is to depressant as: A. cocaine is to alcohol. B. mescaline is to barbiturates. C. caffeine is to amphetamines. D. alcohol is to barbiturates.

Short answer

a) Cocaine is to alcohol b) Mescaline is to barbiturates c) Caffeine is to amphetamines d) Alcohol is to barbiturates

Step-by-step solution

Understand the relationship between stimulants and depressants.

Stimulants are substances that increase the activity of the nervous system, whereas depressants are substances that decrease the activity of the nervous system. The question asks us to match this relationship with a given pair of substances in the answer options.

Analyze the relationship between cocaine and alcohol.

Cocaine is a stimulant, as it increases the activity of the nervous system. Alcohol, on the other hand, is a depressant, which means it decreases the activity of the nervous system. This option correctly shows the analogy between stimulants and depressants.

Analyze the relationship between mescaline and barbiturates.

Mescaline is a hallucinogenic substance, and its classification is different from both stimulants and depressants. Barbiturates are depressants, so this option doesn't fully represent the analogy between stimulants and depressants.

Analyze the relationship between caffeine and amphetamines.

Caffeine is a stimulant, but amphetamines are also stimulants. This option doesn't represent the analogy between stimulants and depressants, as it is missing a depressant in the pair.

Analyze the relationship between alcohol and barbiturates.

Alcohol is a depressant, and barbiturates are also depressants. This option doesn't represent the analogy between stimulants and depressants, as it is missing a stimulant in the pair.

Choose the correct answer.

Based on our analysis of each option, the correct answer is A. cocaine is to alcohol, as it best represents the analogy between stimulants and depressants.