Deck 3: Neurotransmission

Question 1

Action potentials at an axon terminal trigger a series of events that ultimately cause the ____ of neurotransmitters.

A) release
C) metabolism
B) uptake
D) synthesis

Answer 1

A

Question 2

What facilitates the influx of Na⁺ ions into a neuron?

A) loss of concentration gradient
C) voltage-gated ion channels
B) sodium-potassium pump
D) endocytosis

Answer 2

C

Question 3

After applying a drug to the bathing solution, Esther finds that the difference between the charges inside and outside of the cell have diminished. The term to best describe this phenomenon is ____.

A) hyperpolarization
C) depolarization
B) ionopolarization
D) antipolarization

Answer 3

C

Question 4

Serena is performing her first in vivo electrophysiology experiment and hopes to record an action potential. Her thesis adviser, Professor Arnulf explains to her, "Be patient, your cell will not fire an action potential until there is temporal and spatial ____."

A) dissipation of EPSPs
B) dissipation of IPSPs
C) summation of EPSPs
D) summation of IPSPs

Question 5

What is the relationship between the refractory period and the propagation of action potentials?

A) Refractory periods allow action potentials to propagate in two directions.
B) Action potentials propagate in one direction because of refractory periods.
C) The refractory period increases the speed of action potentials.
D) Action potentials are restricted to nodes of Ranvier because of refractory periods.

Question 6

Professor Bouchard asks her psychopharmacology students, "What causes neurons to maintain a resting potential?" Who gives the correct answer?

A) Genevieve: "Negatively charged proteins within the neuron, coupled with closed Na⁺ ion channels."
B) Pedro: "K⁺ trapped outside the neuron and positively charged proteins trapped within."
C) Javier: "High permeability to Na⁺ influx, along with intracellular impermeable negatively charged proteins."
D) Suzette: "High levels of K⁺ and Na⁺ trapped inside the neuron, along with negatively charged proteins outside."

Question 7

During saltatory conductance, action potentials ____.

A) are restricted to the myelinated segments of the axon
B) jump from one unmyelinated segment of the axon to the next
C) increase in intensity at each node of Ranvier
D) cease because they reach the refractory period

Question 8

The first phase of the refractory period is called the absolute refractory period. What happens during this phase?

A) K⁺ channels open.
C) Na⁺ channels open.
B) K⁺ channels close.
D) Na⁺ channels close.

Question 9

During a resting potential, what causes K⁺ to enter the neuron?

A) concentration gradient
C) depolarized membrane
B) electrostatic attraction
D) formation of covalent bonds

Question 10

Compared with the outside bathing solution, the electrical charge inside of the neuron should be ____.

A) the same
C) positive
B) negative
D) uncharged

Question 11

The propagation of action potentials begins at the ____.

A) axon terminal
C) synaptic bouton
B) dendritic spine
D) axon hillock

Question 12

Myelin sheathing ____ of action potentials.

A) decreases the speed
C) decreases the magnitude
B) increases the speed
D) increases the magnitude

Question 13

A nerve impulse results from a change from a resting potential to a(n) ____.

A) electropositive summation
C) electrostatic dissipation
B) action potential
D) excitatory postsynaptic potential

Question 14

What best describes the functioning of the sodium-potassium pump?

A) transports three K⁺ ions into neuron while removing two Na⁺ ions; has a net positive effect
B) transports two K⁺ ions into neuron while removing three Na⁺ ions; has a net positive effect
C) transports three K⁺ ions into neuron while removing two Na⁺ ions; has a net negative effect
D) transports two K⁺ ions into neuron while removing three Na⁺ ions; has a net negative effect

Question 15

The propagation of action potentials refers to ____.

A) increasing magnitude of action potentials
B) increasing speed of action potentials
C) meeting the all-or-none threshold
D) a series of action potentials occurring in succession

Question 16

Later that day, Esther takes recordings from a neuron that is receiving inputs from an adjacent neuron. She exclaims to her colleague Joe, "The cell is hyperpolarized." What did Esther record from this postsynaptic neuron?

A) A cationic postsynaptic potential
C) An excitatory postsynaptic potential
B) An active postsynaptic potential
D) An inhibitory postsynaptic potential

Question 17

The difference between the electrical charge within a neuron and the electrical charge of the environment immediately outside the neuron is termed electrical ____.

A) disparity
C) potential
B) perturbation
D) transmission

Question 18

Communication between neurons is termed ____.

A) neuromodulation
C) neuroprocessing
B) neurotransmission
D) neuropotentiation

Question 19

What are the characteristics of an action potential?

A) hyperpolarization caused by a gradual influx of Na⁺ ions
B) hyperpolarization caused by a rapid influx of K⁺ ions
C) depolarization caused by a rapid influx of Na⁺ ions
D) depolarization caused by a gradual influx of K⁺ ions

Question 20

During a lecture on neurotransmission, Professor Vogel states, "The magnitude of an action potential is independent from the magnitude of potential change that elicited the action potential." This phenomenon is referred to as the ____ law.

A) independent-summation
C) free-to-fire
B) all-or-none
D) breaking-threshold

Question 21

Principle investigator Dr. Kershner asks her lab members to think of a way to increase the production of dopamine in neurons. Tiru, a senior technician in the lab, suggests increasing tyrosine levels. What is a likely response of Dr. Kershner?

A) "Great idea! Tyrosine is a direct precursor to DOPA."
B) "That won't work. Tyrosine hydroxylase is a rate limiting step."
C) "I think you're confused. Tyrosine is a precursor to serotonin, not dopamine."
D) "It's worth a shot because we know that adding L-DOPA won't work."

Question 22

A receptor that relies on effector enzymes to engage a cascade of events that persist even after neurotransmitter leaves the receptor is referred to as a(n) ____.

A) autoreceptor
C) heteroceptor
B) ionotropic receptor
D) metabotropic receptor

Question 23

Neurotransmitters can be thought of as ____.

A) transport vesicles
C) synthesis enzymes
B) intercellular cables
D) signaling chemicals

Question 24

Neuropharmacology graduate student Ravi wants to block the synthesis of glutamate from its precursor glutamine. Which enzyme should he target?

A) glutoxidase
C) glutaminase
B) GABA aminotransferase
D) glutamic acid decarboxylase

Question 25

Which is an example of an inhibitory amino acid?

A) serotonin
C) glutamate
B) GABA
D) acetylcholine

Question 26

Professor Foxx is lecturing on the function of metabotropic receptors. She draws a flowchart (diagram illustrating a sequence of events) to demonstrate the function of these receptors. Which is the correct order displayed on the flowchart? i. metabotropic receptor
Ii) second messenger
Iii) effector enzyme
Iv) substrate protein
V) G protein
Vi) protein kinase

A) v, i, iii, ii, vi, iv
C) iii, vi, iv, ii, v, i
B) i, ii, iii, v, iv, vi
D) i, v, iii, ii, vi, iv

Question 27

Glutamate activates three ionotropic receptors: ____.

A) mGlu, NMDA, and AMPA
C) mGlu, NMDA, and kainite
B) NMDA, AMPA, and kainite
D) mGlu, AMPA, and kainite

Question 28

Before boarding a plane, Shalia takes the benzodiazepine Valium to decrease her anxiety about flying. Which type of receptor will be affected by this drug?

A) glutamate
C) dopamine
B) GABA
D) norepinephrine

Question 29

A presynaptic receptor that is activated by neurotransmitters that are different from those released from the axon terminal is termed a(n) ____.

A) autoreceptor
C) heteroceptor
B) ionotropic receptor
D) metabotropic receptor

Question 30

A receptor that is comprised of subunits that span the neuronal membrane and allows molecules, such as Cl^-, to pass through the membrane is referred to as a(n) ____.

A) autoreceptor
C) heteroceptor
B) ionotropic receptor
D) metabotropic receptor

Question 31

Neurotransmitters released into the synaptic cleft bind to ____.

A) myelin
C) receptors
B) nodes
D) vesicles

Question 32

Postdoctoral research fellow Nick applies the drug picrotoxin to bathing media surrounding a group of cultured neurons. What effect will this drug have on the neurons?

A) It will block the transport of newly synthesized GABA into vesicles.
B) It will facilitate the conversion of glutamate into GABA.
C) It will cause prolonged IPSPs via GABA_A channels.
D) It will block Cl^- influx via GABA_A channels.

Question 33

Dr. Kantor is an expert on protein kinases. What enzymatic function is Dr. Kantor studying?

A) phosphorylation
C) methylation
B) acetylation
D) oxidation

Question 34

Which neurotransmitter is a monoamine?

A) serotonin
C) glutamate
B) GABA
D) acetylcholine

Question 35

After synthesis, neurotransmitters are stored in protective vesicles. What facilitates the release of neurotransmitters from these vesicles?

A) Ca²⁺ permeabilizes the vesicles.
B) Ca²⁺ causes the vesicles to fuse with the membrane.
C) Na⁺ permeabilizes the vesicles.
D) Na⁺ causes the vesicles to fuse with the membrane.

Question 36

There are a number of processes that terminate neurotransmission. Which termination process serves as a recycling program for neurons?

A) catabolism
C) glial transport
B) reuptake
D) volume transmission

Question 37

Which is an example of an excitatory amino acid?

A) serotonin
C) glutamate
B) GABA
D) acetylcholine

Question 38

Dr. Garner is designing a drug, DOPA-Drug, that blocks the action of the dopamine autoreceptor. In an actively firing neuron, what is likely to happen to dopamine release in response to DOPA-Drug?

A) Dopamine release from presynaptic neurons will increase.
B) Dopamine release from postsynaptic neurons will increase.
C) Dopamine release from presynaptic neurons will decrease.
D) Dopamine release from presynaptic neurons will decrease.

Question 39

Dr. Black is designing a drug that targets substrate proteins belonging to a family of transcription factors. What type of mechanism is Dr. Black directly targeting?

A) ion influx
C) neurotransmitter synthesis
B) gene activation
D) action potential propagation

Question 40

The synthesis pathway for all catecholamines begins with the amino acid ____.

A) asparagine
C) tryptophan
B) phenylalanine
D) tyrosine

Question 41

What are the stages of the progression of Alzheimer's disease? Provide a description of the biological changes that occur in Alzheimer's disease and discuss current treatment strategies as well.

Question 42

Graduate student Nell is interested in learning more about the receptors for acetylcholine, termed cholinergic receptors. What terms should Nell use when performing a literature search?

A) nicotinic receptors and muscarinic receptors
B) nicotinic receptors and adrenoceptors
C) kainite receptors and muscarinic receptors
D) kainite receptors and adrenoceptors

Question 43

The central nervous system uses hormones to regulate the ____ system.

A) integumentary
C) endocrine
B) immune
D) musculoskeletal

Question 44

Which neurotransmitter is a direct precursor to norepinephrine?

A) epinephrine
C) serotonin
B) dopamine
D) noradrenaline

Question 45

Professor Shah announces to his students, "Today we are going to learn about 5-HT." Which neurotransmitter is Professor Shah referring to?

A) glutamate
C) dopamine
B) norepinephrine
D) serotonin

Question 46

How does nitric oxide defy the traditional definition of a neurotransmitter?

A) It forms bonds with several intracellular proteins.
B) It is not stored in vesicles.
C) It is regulated by changes in Ca²⁺ levels.
D) Its synthesis depends upon amino acid precursors.

Question 47

The synthesis of serotonin begins with the essential amino acid ____.

A) asparagine
C) tryptophan
B) phenylalanine
D) tyrosine

Question 48

All dopamine receptors are ____.

A) metabotropic
C) inhibitory
B) ionotropic
D) excitatory

Question 49

The key neurotransmitter for the parasympathetic nervous system is ____.

A) norepinephrine
C) glutamate
B) dopamine
D) acetylcholine

Question 50

Nerve impulses occur when a neuron undergoes a change from a resting potential to an action potential. Discuss this progression from a resting potential to an action potential and finally to a refractory period. Include in your answer a description of each phase (resting, action, refractory), such as the ion fluxes that occur at each stage and the resulting change in membrane potential.

Question 51

Neurotrophins are a family of neurotrophic factors that promote the survival and plasticity of neurons during development and in adulthood by acting on ____ receptors.

A) Mek
C) Trk
B) Erk
D) Src

Question 52

Which is an example of a dopamine pathway in the brain that is important for psychoactive drugs?

A) nigrostriatal
C) nigro-infundibular
B) mesostriatal
D) meso-infundibular

Question 53

What is the function of monoamine oxidase and catechol-O-methyltransferase?

A) To dephosphorylate substrate proteins
C) To catabolize catecholamines
B) To prolong action potentials
D) To initiate gene transcription

Question 54

Deena was recently diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease. What class of drug might her doctor prescribe to her?

A) DOPA decarboxylase inhibitor
C) acetylcholinesterase inhibitor
B) choline transferase inhibitor
D) monoamine oxidase inhibitor

Question 55

Cholinergic receptors are ____.

A) ionotropic only
C) either ionotropic or metabotropic
B) metabotropic only
D) neither ionotropic or metabotropic

Question 56

The cell bodies for serotonergic neurons are located in the ____.

A) cerebral cortex
C) hippocampus
B) locus coeruleus
D) raphe nuclei

Question 57

How do hormones differ from neurotransmitters?

A) They induce highly localized effects.
C) They do not enter the bloodstream.
B) They induce widespread effects.
D) They bind mainly to surface receptors.

Question 58

Dr. Ratanaj is about to begin a new research project exploring the role of norepinephrine in the brain. To learn more about the receptors to which norepinephrine binds, Dr. Ratanaj should perform a literature search using which term?

A) adrenoceptors
C) epinoreceptors
B) noradrenoceptors
D) norepinoreceptors

Question 59

Noradrenergic neurons are concentrated in the ____.

A) cerebral cortex
C) hippocampus
B) locus coeruleus
D) raphe nuclei

Question 60

The opioid system is acted on by drugs such as ____.

A) diazepam
C) methylphenidate
B) morphine
D) fluoxetine