Deck 5: Extension: A - Communication Between Neurons

Question 1

Which of the following neurotransmitters does NOT share a common precursor with the others named?

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

Answer 1

acetylcholine

Question 2

The excitatory effect of a neurotransmitter is caused by:

A) the chemical structure of the neurotransmitter.
B) the nature of the receptor with which it interacts.
C) the part of the brain where it is released.
D) the amount of neurotransmitter that is released.

Answer 2

the nature of the receptor with which it interacts.

Question 3

Which of the following is NOT a class of neurotransmitter?

A) gases
B) peptides
C) small molecules
D) lipids

Answer 3

lipids

Question 4

Synapses characterized by wide clefts, large active zones, and round secretory vesicles are thought to be:

A) neuroendocrine.
B) modulatory.
C) excitatory.
D) inhibitory.

Question 5

The ion that triggers the release of neurotransmitters into the cleft is _____.

A) Na⁺
B) K⁺
C) Ca²⁺
D) Cl^-

Question 6

Blockage of voltage - gated Ca²⁺ channels would be expected to:

A) stimulate neurotransmitter release.
B) inhibit neurotransmitter release.
C) inhibit the generation of nerve impulses.
D) stimulate the generation of nerve impulses.

Question 7

Type II synapses are most often found on:

A) muscle fibers.
B) dendritic spines.
C) astrocytes.
D) neuronal cell bodies.

Question 8

The substance that Otto Loewi found slowed the heart is now called _____.

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

Question 9

Oxytocin, vasopressin, and beta - endorphin are all examples of:

A) neuroactive hormones.
B) small-molecule neurotransmitters.
C) peptide neurotransmitters.
D) gases.

Question 10

Some peptide neurotransmitters are made in the:

A) axon terminals.
B) mitochondria.
C) endoplasmic reticulum.
D) nucleus.

Question 11

The first two chemicals to be identified as neurotransmitters were:

A) acetylcholine and epinephrine.
B) dopamine and serotonin.
C) glutamate and glycine.
D) GABA and NMDA.

Question 12

Which class of neurotransmitter is synthesized and packaged in the axon terminal itself?

A) peptides
B) small molecules
C) gases
D) neurosteroids

Question 13

Whether a particular neurotransmitter is excitatory or inhibitory is associated with:

A) the chemical structure of the neurotransmitter.
B) whether or not the neurotransmitter molecules had been in flat or round vesicles.
C) the type of postsynaptic neuron.
D) the brain region in which it is released.

Question 14

Neurotransmitter release depends on an influx of _____ ions into the presynaptic terminal.

A) Na⁺
B) Mg²⁺
C) Ca²⁺
D) Cl^-

Question 15

Reuptake of a neurotransmitter is accomplished by _____.

A) the postsynaptic neuron
B) surrounding glial cells
C) nearby capillaries
D) the presynaptic neuron

Question 16

An increase in the activity at a particular synapse is likely to be associated with:

A) increased synthesis and storage of neurotransmitters.
B) decreased synthesis and storage of neurotransmitters.
C) decreased energy consumption.
D) increased action potential speed.

Question 17

A neurotransmitter released at the axon terminal must _____ in order to affect the postsynaptic cell.

A) diffuse across the synaptic cleft
B) be transported across the synaptic cleft
C) be taken up by the postsynaptic cell
D) be metabolized by the postsynaptic cell

Question 18

At glutamate (excitatory) synapses, the postsynaptic thickening is _____ as compared with a GABA (inhibitory) synapse.

A) thinner
B) absent
C) greater
D) narrower

Question 19

In order to be identified as a neurotransmitter, a substance must meet several tests. Which of the following is NOT a test?

A) It must be present in the terminals.
B) Its structure must be known.
C) It must be released when a neuron fires an action potential.
D) There must be an inactivating mechanism in the cleft.

Question 20

The amount of neurotransmitter released from the presynaptic terminal in response to a single action potential depends, in part, on _____.

A) the amount of Ca²⁺ that enters the presynaptic terminal
B) the amount of Na⁺ that enters the presynaptic terminal
C) the size of the synaptic vesicles
D) the length of the axon

Question 21

The cell bodies of the neurons of the major activating systems are located in the:

A) basal ganglia.
B) diencephalon.
C) frontal cortex.
D) brainstem.

Question 22

Sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) has been associated with abnormalities in brainstem neurons that release:

A) dopamine.
B) glutamate.
C) serotonin.
D) vasopressin.
Answer Key

Question 23

Activation of ionotropic receptors is MOST closely associated with:

A) rapid changes in membrane voltage.
B) G-protein activation.
C) synaptic remodeling.
D) changes in gene expression.

Question 24

Which of the following statements MOST accurately represents current theory regarding the localization of neurotransmitters within a neuron?

A) A given neuron contains only one particular neurotransmitter.
B) A given neuron contains only one class of neurotransmitter.
C) A given neuron can contain more than one type of neurotransmitter.
D) A given neuron can produce only one type of postsynaptic effect.