Question 1

Explain how GABA can serve sometimes as an excitatory, and sometimes an inhibitory, neurotransmitter in the SCN.

Accepted Answer

GABA opens chloride channels in some SCN

Question 2

The closing of an M-channel has the effect of

Accepted Answer

A)  depolarizing the cell. 
B)  hyperpolarizing the cell. 
C)  maintaining the cell's resting potential. 
D)  ending the activity of cyclic AMP. 
E)  None of the above 
A)  depolarizing the cell. 
B)  hyperpolarizing the cell. 
C)  maintaining the cell's resting potential. 
D)  ending the activity of cyclic AMP. 
E)  None of the above

Question 3

Give three reasons why the enteric nervous system has been so difficult to fully understand.

Accepted Answer

First, there are over 10 million neurons

Question 4

The function of the hormone melatonin in humans is to

Accepted Answer

A)  induce sleep. 
B)  inhibit sleep. 
C)  regulate the sleep/wake cycle. 
D)  activate sympathetic activity. 
E)  coordinate reproductive behaviors. 
A)  induce sleep. 
B)  inhibit sleep. 
C)  regulate the sleep/wake cycle. 
D)  activate sympathetic activity. 
E)  coordinate reproductive behaviors.

Question 5

Leptin is

Accepted Answer

A)  the principle neurotransmitter of the enteric nervous system. 
B)  a hormone released by the pituitary gland. 
C)  a protein involved in the regulation of blood pressure. 
D)  a peptide secreted by adipose cells. 
E)  a hormone released by hypothalamic neurons. 
A)  the principle neurotransmitter of the enteric nervous system. 
B)  a hormone released by the pituitary gland. 
C)  a protein involved in the regulation of blood pressure. 
D)  a peptide secreted by adipose cells. 
E)  a hormone released by hypothalamic neurons.

Question 6

Give one example of a drug for treating a disease that was discovered through the study of the sympathetic nervous system.

Accepted Answer

One example is asthma, in which bronchoc

Question 7

The application of ACh to muscarinic receptors in autonomic ganglia would be expected to have this effect on the post-synaptic neuron.

Accepted Answer

A)  Shift from tonic firing to phasic firing 
B)  Shift from phasic firing to tonic firing 
C)  Suppress all firing activity 
D)  No effect on firing activity 
E)  Induction of long-term potentiation 
A)  Shift from tonic firing to phasic firing 
B)  Shift from phasic firing to tonic firing 
C)  Suppress all firing activity 
D)  No effect on firing activity 
E)  Induction of long-term potentiation

Question 8

Ephedrine is a drug that is sometimes used to prevent low blood pressure. It is not safe for frequent use due to common side effects, including fast heart rate, anxiety, high blood pressure, and loss of appetite. Knowing these effects of ephedrine, develop a hypothesis about how this drug is likely to affect the autonomic nervous system.

Accepted Answer

The effects of ephedrine appear to resem

Question 9

Beta-blockers, which block the actions of norepinephrine on b-receptors, can be used medically to treat

Accepted Answer

A)  the inability to sleep. 
B)  high blood pressure. 
C)  overeating. 
D)  depression. 
E)  lethargy. 
A)  the inability to sleep. 
B)  high blood pressure. 
C)  overeating. 
D)  depression. 
E)  lethargy.

Question 10

Regulation of blood pressure based on body position is accomplished using

Accepted Answer

A)  stretch receptors in the carotid artery. 
B)  oxygen receptors in the brain. 
C)  activated by polypeptides. 
D)  responsive to pain. 
E)  only found in the peripheral nervous system. 
A)  stretch receptors in the carotid artery. 
B)  oxygen receptors in the brain. 
C)  activated by polypeptides. 
D)  responsive to pain. 
E)  only found in the peripheral nervous system.

Question 11

What is the functional effect on a neuron when an M-channel is opened?

Accepted Answer

The opening of an M-channel allows potas

Question 12

Autonomic ganglion neurons switch from phasic-firing to tonic-firing when

Accepted Answer

A)  M-channels are closed. 
B)  M-channels are opened. 
C)  Nicotinic ACh receptors are opened. 
D)  Nicotinic ACh receptors are closed. 
E)  C-cells are activated. 
A)  M-channels are closed. 
B)  M-channels are opened. 
C)  Nicotinic ACh receptors are opened. 
D)  Nicotinic ACh receptors are closed. 
E)  C-cells are activated.

Question 13

The system associated with the 'fright, fight, and flight' response is the _______ system.

Accepted Answer

A)  sympathetic 
B)  parasympathetic 
C)  cholinergic 
D)  limbic 
E)  autonomic ganglionic 
A)  sympathetic 
B)  parasympathetic 
C)  cholinergic 
D)  limbic 
E)  autonomic ganglionic

Question 14

The connection between autonomic ganglion neurons and their presynaptic neurons is such that

Accepted Answer

A)  an action potential in any presynaptic neuron is capable of producing an action potential in the ganglion cell. 
B)  some "strong" presynaptic neurons can produce action potentials in the ganglion cell, while other "weak" neurons produce subthreshold potentials. 
C)  all presynaptic neurons produce subthreshold potentials that must summate to produce an action potential. 
D)  an action potential in any presynaptic neuron is capable of inhibiting any action potentials in the ganglion cell. 
E)  only g-protein coupled receptors are present on the ganglion cell, so presynaptic firing does not produce any direct changes in postsynaptic potential. 
A)  an action potential in any presynaptic neuron is capable of producing an action potential in the ganglion cell. 
B)  some "strong" presynaptic neurons can produce action potentials in the ganglion cell, while other "weak" neurons produce subthreshold potentials. 
C)  all presynaptic neurons produce subthreshold potentials that must summate to produce an action potential. 
D)  an action potential in any presynaptic neuron is capable of inhibiting any action potentials in the ganglion cell. 
E)  only g-protein coupled receptors are present on the ganglion cell, so presynaptic firing does not produce any direct changes in postsynaptic potential.

Question 15

Direct, rapid transmission at autonomic ganglia differs from that in the neuromuscular junction in that

Accepted Answer

A)  the autonomic ganglia use nicotinic receptors while the neuromuscular junction uses muscarinic receptors. 
B)  the autonomic ganglion cells are activated by acetylcholine, while the neuromuscular junction uses glutamate. 
C)  unlike the neuromuscular junction, the autonomic ganglion cells are inhibited by presynaptic activity. 
D)  the autonomic ganglion cells are activated by epinephrine instead of acetylcholine. 
E)  the structure of nicotinic receptors in autonomic ganglion cells differs from those at the neuromuscular junction. 
A)  the autonomic ganglia use nicotinic receptors while the neuromuscular junction uses muscarinic receptors. 
B)  the autonomic ganglion cells are activated by acetylcholine, while the neuromuscular junction uses glutamate. 
C)  unlike the neuromuscular junction, the autonomic ganglion cells are inhibited by presynaptic activity. 
D)  the autonomic ganglion cells are activated by epinephrine instead of acetylcholine. 
E)  the structure of nicotinic receptors in autonomic ganglion cells differs from those at the neuromuscular junction.

Question 16

You have a friend who recently told you that they are too stressed with all of their schoolwork, and can't fall asleep at night. They have started taking melatonin supplements in the evening in order to help them go to sleep. How would you respond to your friend?

Accepted Answer

While melatonin is secreted in larger am

Question 17

Where are the sensory receptors that detect light/dark signals used to entrain circadian rhythms?

Accepted Answer

There are special ganglion cells in the

Question 18

The axons of preganglionic neurons in the sympathetic system tend to be _______, while those in the parasympathetic system tend to be _______.

Accepted Answer

A)  myelinated; unmyelinated 
B)  unmyelinated; myelinated 
C)  long; short 
D)  short; long 
E)  unipolar; multipolar 
A)  myelinated; unmyelinated 
B)  unmyelinated; myelinated 
C)  long; short 
D)  short; long 
E)  unipolar; multipolar

Question 19

P1 and P2 receptors are so named because they are

Accepted Answer

A)  prevalent in the parasympathetic nervous system. 
B)  activated by purines. 
C)  activated by polypeptides. 
D)  responsive to pain. 
E)  located in the pituitary. 
A)  prevalent in the parasympathetic nervous system. 
B)  activated by purines. 
C)  activated by polypeptides. 
D)  responsive to pain. 
E)  located in the pituitary.

Question 20

Muscarine is a deadly toxin found in some mushrooms, with symptoms including decreased heart rate, hypotension (low blood pressure), and diarrhea. Knowing that it acts as a muscarinic receptor agonist, make a prediction about the mechanism by which these effects occur.

Accepted Answer

Muscarinic ACh receptors exist in autono

Exam 19: Autonomic Nervous System

Explain how GABA can serve sometimes as an excitatory, and sometimes an inhibitory, neurotransmitter in the SCN.

The closing of an M-channel has the effect of

Give three reasons why the enteric nervous system has been so difficult to fully understand.

The function of the hormone melatonin in humans is to

Leptin is

Give one example of a drug for treating a disease that was discovered through the study of the sympathetic nervous system.

The application of ACh to muscarinic receptors in autonomic ganglia would be expected to have this effect on the post-synaptic neuron.

Beta-blockers, which block the actions of norepinephrine on b-receptors, can be used medically to treat

Regulation of blood pressure based on body position is accomplished using

What is the functional effect on a neuron when an M-channel is opened?

Autonomic ganglion neurons switch from phasic-firing to tonic-firing when

The system associated with the 'fright, fight, and flight' response is the _______ system.

The connection between autonomic ganglion neurons and their presynaptic neurons is such that

Direct, rapid transmission at autonomic ganglia differs from that in the neuromuscular junction in that

You have a friend who recently told you that they are too stressed with all of their schoolwork, and can't fall asleep at night. They have started taking melatonin supplements in the evening in order to help them go to sleep. How would you respond to your friend?

Where are the sensory receptors that detect light/dark signals used to entrain circadian rhythms?

The axons of preganglionic neurons in the sympathetic system tend to be _______, while those in the parasympathetic system tend to be _______.

P1 and P2 receptors are so named because they are

Muscarine is a deadly toxin found in some mushrooms, with symptoms including decreased heart rate, hypotension (low blood pressure), and diarrhea. Knowing that it acts as a muscarinic receptor agonist, make a prediction about the mechanism by which these effects occur.

Principles of Signaling and Organization

Signaling in the Visual System

Functional Architecture of the Visual Cortex

Ion Channels and Signaling

Structure of Ion Channels

Ionic Basis of the Resting Potential

Ionic Basis of the Action Potential

Electrical Signaling in Neurons

Ion Transport Across Cell Membranes

Properties and Functions of Neuroglial Cells

Mechanisms of Direct Synaptic Transmission

Indirect Mechanisms of Synaptic Transmission

Release of Neurotransmitters

Neurotransmitters in the Central Nervous System

Transmitter Synthesis, Storage, Transport, and Inactivation

Synaptic Plasticity

The Molecular and Cellular Biology of Synaptic Plasticity

Mechanisms of Extrasynaptic Communication

Walking, Flying, and Swimming: Cellular Mechanisms of Sensorimotor Behavior in Invertebrates

Sensory Transduction

Transduction and Transmission in the Retina

Touch, Pain, and Texture Sensation

Auditory and Vestibular Sensation

Constructing Perception

Initiation and Control of Coordinated Muscular Movements

Development of the Nervous System

Critical Periods in Sensory Systems

Regeneration and Repair of Synaptic Connections After Injury

Appendix

Filters

The axons of preganglionic neurons in the sympathetic system tend to be _, while those in the parasympathetic system tend to be _.