Deck 4: Catecholamines

Question 1

Which of the following is not a catecholamine?

A) Dopamine
B) Glutamine
C) Norepinephrine
D) Epinephrine

Answer 1

Glutamine

Question 2

The two most important enzymes in the metabolism of monoamines are

A) catechol-O-methyltransferase and tyrosine hydroxylase.
B) monoamine oxidase and homovanillic acid.
C) catechol-O-methyltransferase and monoamine oxidase.
D) monoamine oxidase and tyrosine hydroxylase.

Answer 2

catechol-O-methyltransferase and monoamine oxidase.

Question 3

High levels of MHPG, HVA, and VMA in the blood and urine can indicate

A) increased transporter activation.
B) decreased catecholamine synthesis.
C) dysfunctional receptors.
D) increased catecholamine levels.

Answer 3

increased catecholamine levels.

Question 4

The major difference between D₁ and D₂ dopamine receptor subtypes is that one

A) is ionotropic and the other is metabotropic.
B) inhibits and the other stimulates adenylyl cyclase and cAMP.
C) is found in the CNS and the other is found in the PNS.
D) is very rare and the other is very common.

Question 5

Dopamine transporter knockout mice are hyperactive relative to wild-type mice because

A) they produce more dopamine than wild-type mice.
B) they have fewer receptors than wild-type mice.
C) their dopaminergic neurons cannot remove dopamine from the synaptic cleft.
D) they cannot synthesize dopamine.

Question 6

Interpreting data from knockout mice can be complicated by the genetic strain of mouse used to create the mutation because

A) some mouse strains do not breed well.
B) strains vary widely in their behavior before any knockouts occur.
C) some strains do not have the genes that the knockout is targeting.
D) strains vary widely in their genetic makeup to begin with.

Question 7

Which statement about norepinephrine is false?

A) It acts in both the central nervous system and the autonomic nervous system.
B) It is thought to play a role in arousal.
C) NE terminals are found in widespread brain regions.
D) NE producing cell bodies are widespread in the brain.

Question 8

Why can norepinephrine be considered a hormone?

A) It is released from the locus coeruleus into the general circulation.
B) It is released from the hypothalamus into the general circulation.
C) It is released from the adrenal glands into the general circulation.
D) Actually, it cannot be considered a hormone, only a neurotransmitter.

Question 9

Working memory can be enhanced by activation of _______ in the PFC, while activation of _______ in the PFC has detrimental effects on cognitive function.

A) $\alpha$ ₁-receptors; $\beta$ ₁-receptors
B) $\alpha$ ₂-receptors; $\alpha$ ₁-receptors
C) $\beta$ ₂-receptors; $\beta$ ₁-receptors
D) $\alpha$ ₂-receptors; $\beta$ ₁-receptors

Question 10

Recent research investigating the effects of epinephrine on learning suggest that _______ may improve cognitive function in aged individuals.

A) decreasing NE levels
B) increasing glucose levels
C) decreasing vagus nerve activity
D) increasing stress levels

Question 11

The $\beta$ ₂-receptor agonist albuterol is used to treat _______ because it _______.

A) asthma; constricts blood vessels in the bronchial lining and reduces congestion
B) asthma; relaxes the bronchial muscles and creates a wider airway
C) colds; constricts blood vessels in the nose and reduces congestion
D) hypertension; decreases the rate of contraction of the heart

Question 12

The main reason for giving albuterol via inhaler is that it reduces

A) congestion in the nose.
B) cardiovascular side effects.
C) the cost of the prescription.
D) the time required for the drug to work.

Question 13

$\beta$ -receptor antagonists help patients with generalized anxiety by

A) reducing some of the physical symptoms associated with anxiety.
B) acting directly on brain regions involved in anxiety.
C) increasing sympathetic nervous system activity, which makes the person feel better able to cope with anxiety-producing situations.
D) causing sedation.

Question 14

Compare and contrast the function of autoreceptors and transporters.

Question 15

Describe the relationship between $\alpha$ ₂-adrenergic receptors and opiate withdrawal, including pharmacological evidence supporting this relationship.

Question 16

Describe two possible mechanisms by which peripheral administration of epinephrine could facilitate memory.