Question 1

An experimental increase in the availability of glutamic acid decarboxylase (GAD) would be expected to produce a(n)

Accepted Answer

A)  increase in GABA. 
B)  reduction in GABA. 
C)  increase in glutamate. 
D)  increase in glutamine. 
E)  reduction in glutamine. 
A)  increase in GABA. 
B)  reduction in GABA. 
C)  increase in glutamate. 
D)  increase in glutamine. 
E)  reduction in glutamine.

Question 2

Give one example of feedback inhibition in the synthesis of neurotransmitters, and explain why the example illustrates this effect.

Accepted Answer

One example of feedback inhibition is in

Question 3

The ingredients or precursors required for the synthesis of acetylcholine are sourced from

Accepted Answer

A)  glial cells. 
B)  the cell body. 
C)  the extracellular fluid and the mitochondria. 
D)  they are synthesized in the synaptic terminal. 
E)  the diet. 
A)  glial cells. 
B)  the cell body. 
C)  the extracellular fluid and the mitochondria. 
D)  they are synthesized in the synaptic terminal. 
E)  the diet.

Question 4

Compared to other neurotransmitters, serotonin synthesis is especially dependent on the levels of precursors made available through

Accepted Answer

A)  reuptake. 
B)  mitochondria. 
C)  the diet. 
D)  hydrolyzation. 
E)  synthesis in the cell body. 
A)  reuptake. 
B)  mitochondria. 
C)  the diet. 
D)  hydrolyzation. 
E)  synthesis in the cell body.

Question 5

Identification of the rate-limiting step in the synthesis of norepinephrine was achieved by measuring the

Accepted Answer

A)  activity of dopamine F1F1F1S1F1F1F10-hydroxylase in the presence of varying levels of dopamine. 
B)  amount of DOPA produced after inhibition of tyrosine hydroxylase. 
C)  amount of each relevant enzyme in the cytoplasm. 
D)  amount of norepinephrine produced when the preparation was bathed in various precursors. 
E)  amount of norepinephrine produced when various enzymes were inhibited. 
A)  activity of dopamine F1F1F1S1F1F1F10-hydroxylase in the presence of varying levels of dopamine. 
B)  amount of DOPA produced after inhibition of tyrosine hydroxylase. 
C)  amount of each relevant enzyme in the cytoplasm. 
D)  amount of norepinephrine produced when the preparation was bathed in various precursors. 
E)  amount of norepinephrine produced when various enzymes were inhibited.

Question 6

Describe a major difference between slow axonal transport and fast axonal transport.

Accepted Answer

In slow axonal transport, structural pro

Question 7

In the synthesis cycle of glutamate, it is generally the case that

Accepted Answer

A)  neurons convert glutamate to glutamine, while glial cells convert glutamine to glutamate. 
B)  neurons convert glutamine to glutamate, while glial cells convert glutamate to glutamine. 
C)  neurons convert glutamine to glutamate, which is then hydrolyzed by glutaminase in the synaptic cleft. 
D)  glial cells convert glutamine to glutamate which is then recycled into the presynaptic neuron through reuptake. 
E)  glial cells convert glutamine to glutamate, which is then hydrolyzed by GAD before diffusing away. 
A)  neurons convert glutamate to glutamine, while glial cells convert glutamine to glutamate. 
B)  neurons convert glutamine to glutamate, while glial cells convert glutamate to glutamine. 
C)  neurons convert glutamine to glutamate, which is then hydrolyzed by glutaminase in the synaptic cleft. 
D)  glial cells convert glutamine to glutamate which is then recycled into the presynaptic neuron through reuptake. 
E)  glial cells convert glutamine to glutamate, which is then hydrolyzed by GAD before diffusing away.

Question 8

Why is it that only a small quantity of a peptide is needed to produce activity in a target cell?

Accepted Answer

First, very low concentrations of peptid

Question 9

One important feature of the transport proteins used to package neurotransmitters into vesicles is that

Accepted Answer

A)  they often have low specificity and may transport more than one type of neurotransmitter. 
B)  one type of protein transports the low-molecular-weight transmitters, and a second type transports neuropeptides. 
C)  they are usually saturated and serve as the rate-limiting factor for the availability of vesicles. 
D)  they may also be present in the cell membrane and transport neurotransmitters directly into the extracellular space. 
E)  they are highly efficient so that little neurotransmitter can be found outside of vesicles. 
A)  they often have low specificity and may transport more than one type of neurotransmitter. 
B)  one type of protein transports the low-molecular-weight transmitters, and a second type transports neuropeptides. 
C)  they are usually saturated and serve as the rate-limiting factor for the availability of vesicles. 
D)  they may also be present in the cell membrane and transport neurotransmitters directly into the extracellular space. 
E)  they are highly efficient so that little neurotransmitter can be found outside of vesicles.

Question 10

GABA is synthesized from

Accepted Answer

A)  glutamate by the enzyme GAD. 
B)  GAD by the enzyme F1F1F1S1F1F1F10-ketoglutarate. 
C)  glutamic acid by the enzyme decarboxylase. 
D)  ATP by the enzyme GABA hydroxylase. 
E)  GAD by the enzyme adenosine triphosphate. 
A)  glutamate by the enzyme GAD. 
B)  GAD by the enzyme F1F1F1S1F1F1F10-ketoglutarate. 
C)  glutamic acid by the enzyme decarboxylase. 
D)  ATP by the enzyme GABA hydroxylase. 
E)  GAD by the enzyme adenosine triphosphate.

Question 11

What is the difference between anterograde transport and retrograde transport, and what do the two have in common?

Accepted Answer

These two forms of axonal transport diff

Question 12

If ChAT in the cytoplasm is inhibited, the predicted effect would be

Accepted Answer

A)  an accumulation of high levels of ACh. 
B)  a depletion in ACh levels. 
C)  the release of excessive levels of ACh from the synapse. 
D)  an accumulation of ACh outside of vesicles, but a decrease in ACh-packed vesicles. 
E)  an inability of vesicles containing ACh to fuse with the synaptic membrane. 
A)  an accumulation of high levels of ACh. 
B)  a depletion in ACh levels. 
C)  the release of excessive levels of ACh from the synapse. 
D)  an accumulation of ACh outside of vesicles, but a decrease in ACh-packed vesicles. 
E)  an inability of vesicles containing ACh to fuse with the synaptic membrane.

Question 13

Predict what would happen if you experimentally increase levels of GAD in a brain slice preparation.

Accepted Answer

GAD, or glutamic acid decarboxylase, is

Question 14

Which best illustrates the concept of "co-transmission"?

Accepted Answer

A)  A single vesicle contains both glycine and GABA, and releases both synchronously 
B)  A synaptic terminal contains some vesicles with dopamine, and some with norepinephrine, that are released simultaneously 
C)  A synaptic terminal contains some vesicles with dopamine, and some with norepinephrine, that are released at different times based on different patterns of activity 
D)  Both a and b 
E)  a.b and c 
A)  A single vesicle contains both glycine and GABA, and releases both synchronously 
B)  A synaptic terminal contains some vesicles with dopamine, and some with norepinephrine, that are released simultaneously 
C)  A synaptic terminal contains some vesicles with dopamine, and some with norepinephrine, that are released at different times based on different patterns of activity 
D)  Both a and b 
E)  a.b and c

Question 15

Fast axonal transport is powered by

Accepted Answer

A)  kinesin and cytoplasmic dynein motors. 
B)  diffusion. 
C)  cilial beating. 
D)  electrical currents. 
E)  all of the above. 
A)  kinesin and cytoplasmic dynein motors. 
B)  diffusion. 
C)  cilial beating. 
D)  electrical currents. 
E)  all of the above.

Question 16

If preganglionic neurons are stimulated such that ACh is released from ganglionic neurons at a high level, these neurons become depleted

Accepted Answer

A)  after a few (3-7) seconds of stimulation. 
B)  after a few (3-7) minutes of stimulation. 
C)  after about 20-30 minutes of stimulation. 
D)  in less than an hour. 
E)  after more than an hour. 
A)  after a few (3-7) seconds of stimulation. 
B)  after a few (3-7) minutes of stimulation. 
C)  after about 20-30 minutes of stimulation. 
D)  in less than an hour. 
E)  after more than an hour.

Question 17

What is one way in which synaptic plasticity could be accomplished through co-transmission?

Accepted Answer

Sometimes more than one neurotransmitter

Question 18

Inhibition of acetylcholinesterase in the synaptic cleft of a neuromuscular junction results in a(n)

Accepted Answer

A)  reduction in the ACh available at the postsynaptic receptor. 
B)  substantial increase in the duration of the postsynaptic potential. 
C)  increase in choline available for synthesis inside the neuron. 
D)  substantial reduction in the amplitude of the postsynaptic potential. 
E)  significant delay in the latency of the postsynaptic response. 
A)  reduction in the ACh available at the postsynaptic receptor. 
B)  substantial increase in the duration of the postsynaptic potential. 
C)  increase in choline available for synthesis inside the neuron. 
D)  substantial reduction in the amplitude of the postsynaptic potential. 
E)  significant delay in the latency of the postsynaptic response.

Question 19

A primary difference between axoplasmic flow and axonal transport is that axonal transport

Accepted Answer

A)  is much faster than axoplasmic flow. 
B)  moves from the cell body to the axons. 
C)  primarily transports structural proteins. 
D)  is much slower than axoplasmic flow. 
E)  is difficult to observe through tracing or labeling. 
A)  is much faster than axoplasmic flow. 
B)  moves from the cell body to the axons. 
C)  primarily transports structural proteins. 
D)  is much slower than axoplasmic flow. 
E)  is difficult to observe through tracing or labeling.

Question 20

Compared with the synthesis of low-molecular-weight neurotransmitters, the synthesis of peptides

Accepted Answer

A)  is faster and more efficient. 
B)  occurs nearer to release sites. 
C)  occurs inside of vesicles. 
D)  is slower and quantities are more limited. 
E)  does not involve enzymes. 
A)  is faster and more efficient. 
B)  occurs nearer to release sites. 
C)  occurs inside of vesicles. 
D)  is slower and quantities are more limited. 
E)  does not involve enzymes.

Exam 15: Transmitter Synthesis, Storage, Transport, and Inactivation

An experimental increase in the availability of glutamic acid decarboxylase (GAD) would be expected to produce a(n)

Give one example of feedback inhibition in the synthesis of neurotransmitters, and explain why the example illustrates this effect.

The ingredients or precursors required for the synthesis of acetylcholine are sourced from

Compared to other neurotransmitters, serotonin synthesis is especially dependent on the levels of precursors made available through

Identification of the rate-limiting step in the synthesis of norepinephrine was achieved by measuring the

Describe a major difference between slow axonal transport and fast axonal transport.

In the synthesis cycle of glutamate, it is generally the case that

Why is it that only a small quantity of a peptide is needed to produce activity in a target cell?

One important feature of the transport proteins used to package neurotransmitters into vesicles is that

GABA is synthesized from

What is the difference between anterograde transport and retrograde transport, and what do the two have in common?

If ChAT in the cytoplasm is inhibited, the predicted effect would be

Predict what would happen if you experimentally increase levels of GAD in a brain slice preparation.

Which best illustrates the concept of "co-transmission"?

Fast axonal transport is powered by

If preganglionic neurons are stimulated such that ACh is released from ganglionic neurons at a high level, these neurons become depleted

What is one way in which synaptic plasticity could be accomplished through co-transmission?

Inhibition of acetylcholinesterase in the synaptic cleft of a neuromuscular junction results in a(n)

A primary difference between axoplasmic flow and axonal transport is that axonal transport

Compared with the synthesis of low-molecular-weight neurotransmitters, the synthesis of peptides

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

Synaptic Plasticity

The Molecular and Cellular Biology of Synaptic Plasticity

Mechanisms of Extrasynaptic Communication

Autonomic Nervous System

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

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