Deck 4: Psychopharmacology

Question 1

Neil has accidentally ingested a toxic chemical, which has made him unconscious and will soon kill him. Which route of administration would emergency physicians most likely use to administer an antidote for the toxin?

A) intravenous
B) oral
C) topical
D) rectal
E) nasal

Answer 1

A

Question 2

Ingestion of ________ can result in fatal paralysis of the muscles.

A) fluoxetine
B) botulinum toxin
C) amphetamine
D) L-DOPA.
E) atropine

Answer 2

B

Question 3

An increase in ________ for a drug would cause that drug to more rapidly reach the brain.

A) metabolism of the drug via the liver
B) lipid solubility
C) water solubility
D) depot binding of the drug in blood, bone and fat
E) kidney excretion

Answer 3

B

Question 4

Differences in effectiveness between two drugs that share the same site of action would be expected to result from their different

A) adverse effects.
B) sensitization profiles.
C) dynamic capacities.
D) affinities for the site of action.
E) binding capacities within blood.

Question 5

The primary route of excretion of drugs from the body is via the

A) liver.
B) lung.
C) mucosa.
D) kidneys.
E) skin.

Question 6

The ________ is a measure of the safety of a drug.

A) lethality score
B) dose-response curve
C) therapeutic index
D) pharmacokinetic profile
E) pharmacodynamic profile

Question 7

________ refers to the process by which drugs are absorbed, distributed within the body, metabolized, and then excreted from the body.

A) Pharmacotherapy
B) Pharmacokinetics
C) Drug metabolism
D) Pharmacodynamics
E) Neurobotany

Question 8

The ________ route is the fastest way for a drug to reach the brain.

A) oral
B) topical
C) intravenous
D) intramuscular
E) intraperitoneal

Question 9

An important drawback to the ________ route is the high likelihood of accidental overdose.

A) oral
B) topical
C) intravenous
D) intramuscular
E) intraperitoneal

Question 10

________ refers to the capacity of a drug molecule to bind to a key site of action.

A) Dissociation
B) Sensitization
C) Inactivation
D) Affinity
E) Tolerance

Question 11

________ refers to the study of the effects of drugs on the nervous system and behavior.

A) Pseudopharmacology
B) Neuropharmacology
C) Psychoimmunology
D) Neurochemistry
E) Psychopharmacology

Question 12

The ________ route of drug administration is commonly used for small laboratory animals such as the rat.

A) intraperitoneal
B) oral
C) intravascular
D) topical
E) intranasal

Question 13

The primary organ that metabolizes drugs is the

A) liver.
B) lung.
C) mucosa.
D) kidneys.
E) skin.

Question 14

Which of the following is true of drug effects?

A) Drugs vary widely in their effectiveness.
B) Drugs continue to show increases of effect even with super-large doses.
C) Heavier animals usually require lower drug doses than do lighter animals.
D) A drug has only one effect.
E) For a given animal weight, twice as much drug always has twice the effect.

Question 15

The ________ route of drug administration is most commonly used for humans.

A) intraperitoneal
B) oral
C) intravascular
D) topical
E) intranasal

Question 16

A drug that might cause stomach upset if taken orally can alternatively be administered to a human via

A) injection into the gut.
B) the sublingual route.
C) a topical patch.
D) the intracranial route.
E) a rectal suppository.

Question 17

James snorts a small amount of cocaine into his nose using a rolled up dollar bill. The formal term for this route of cocaine administration would be

A) inhalation.
B) insufflation.
C) intravenous
D) intrarectal.
E) sublingual.

Question 18

The ________ route of drug administration has the advantage of bypassing the blood-brain barrier.

A) intraperitoneal
B) oral
C) intravascular
D) topical
E) intracerebroventricular

Question 19

Jackson is doing research in which she examines whether a drug effect is different depending on whether the drug is given orally or rectally. We might say that she is doing a study involving

A) neurotherapy.
B) neurochemistry.
C) behavioral neuroscience.
D) pharmacokinetics.
E) neuropharmacology.

Question 20

A key characteristic of a drug, as defined in the text, is that it

A) must be an endogenous chemical.
B) can include essential nutrients.
C) is effective only at high doses.
D) can be abused or misused by humans.
E) is an exogenous chemical.

Question 21

A drug that activates a presynaptic autoreceptor will usually

A) reduce the release of the neurotransmitter from the axon terminal.
B) alter the uptake of the neurotransmitter into the axon terminal.
C) block the opening of ion channels in the postsynaptic membrane.
D) increase the release of the neurotransmitter from the axon terminal.
E) be expected to act as an agonist for this synapse.

Question 22

A drug that binds at a postsynaptic site different from that of the neurotransmitter and facilitates the opening of ion channels would be termed a(n)

A) indirect antagonist.
B) ligand.
C) direct synergist.
D) indirect agonist.
E) inducer.

Question 23

Which of the following is true of drug sensitization?

A) Drug sensitization involves a progressive decrease in behavioral actions of a drug over time.
B) Drug sensitization is more common than is drug tolerance.
C) Drug sensitization is less common than is drug tolerance.
D) Drug sensitization involves a decrease in the number of drug receptors.
E) Most drugs exhibit some form of sensitization.

Question 24

________ is defined as drug that binds at a postsynaptic site different from that of the neurotransmitter and that prevents the opening of ion channels by the neurotransmitter.

A) indirect antagonist
B) ligand
C) direct synergist
D) direct antagonist
E) neurohormone

Question 25

Activation of dendritic autoreceptors produce ________; a drug that is an agonist at these autoreceptors would be classified as an ________ for the synapse.

A) depolarizations; antagonist
B) hyperpolarizations; agonist
C) hyperpolarizations; indirect agonist
D) hyperpolarizations; antagonist
E) action potentials; agonist

Question 26

________ refers to an increased behavioral effect of a drug noted with repeated administration.

A) Dynamic capacity
B) Sensitization
C) Inactivation
D) Tolerance
E) Binding capacity

Question 27

Which of the following drugs has the largest therapeutic index?

A) heroin
B) Valium
C) alcohol
D) barbiturates
E) a mixture of barbiturates and alcohol

Question 28

We would classify a drug as a(n) ________ if that drug acted to block the capacity of vesicles to be filled with neurotransmitter molecules.

A) agonist
B) facilitator
C) antagonist
D) autoreceptor agonist
E) indirect agonist

Question 29

Drugs that facilitate the postsynaptic receptor effects are termed

A) agonists.
B) ligands.
C) synergists.
D) antagonists.
E) pheromones.

Question 30

One mechanism for the tolerance produced by repeated drug administration is a(n)

A) decreased metabolism of the drug.
B) increased plasma level of the drug.
C) increased number of receptors in the brain.
D) reduced number of receptors for the drug.
E) increased number of ion channel openings in response to receptor activation.

Question 31

The term ________ refers to a state of anxious misery, often produced by withdrawal from certain drugs of abuse.

A) euphoria
B) dysphoria
C) depression
D) mania
E) sensitization

Question 32

Which of the following is true of the therapeutic index?

A) The index is a ratio between LD75 and ED75 values.
B) More caution is required for a drug with a low therapeutic index.
C) More caution is required for a drug with a high therapeutic index.
D) Less caution is required for a drug with a low therapeutic index.
E) The index is a ratio between the LD25 and LD 75 values.

Question 33

________ is a drug that blocks or inhibits postsynaptic receptor effects.

A) protagonist
B) ligand
C) synergist
D) antagonist
E) agonist

Question 34

________ refers to a reduced behavioral effect of a drug with repeated administration.

A) Dynamic capacity
B) Sensitization
C) Inactivation
D) Tolerance
E) Binding capacity

Question 35

________ is an innocuous substance that has no physiological effect.

A) placebo
B) pseudotransmitter
C) drug
D) agonist
E) ligand

Question 36

Administering a molecule that is a precursor for the synthesis of a synaptic neurotransmitter would be expected to

A) reduce the availability of that neurotransmitter.
B) increase the rate of synthesis and release of that neurotransmitter.
C) alter the number of postsynaptic receptors.
D) act as an antagonist at autoreceptors.
E) dampen the activity of the synapse.

Question 37

A synapse that contains a presynaptic heteroreceptor would be classified as a(n) ________ synapse.

A) axoaxonic
B) dendrosomatic
C) axodendritic
D) somasomatic
E) dendroaxonic

Question 38

A drug that binds with a postsynaptic receptor, but does not open ion channels would be termed a(n)

A) direct agonist.
B) ligand.
C) direct synergist.
D) direct antagonist.
E) indirect antagonist

Question 39

A drug that blocks a presynaptic autoreceptor most likely

A) will induce the presynaptic cell to refire.
B) alters the uptake of the neurotransmitter into the axon terminal.
C) blocks the opening of ion channels in the postsynaptic membrane.
D) increases the release of the neurotransmitter from the axon terminal.
E) would be expected to act as an antagonist for this synapse.

Question 40

An example of a withdrawal symptom for a heroin addict would be

A) eating.
B) constipation.
C) euphoria.
D) dysphoria.
E) craving for alcohol.

Question 41

Which pair of transmitters are the primary excitatory and inhibitory (respectively) transmitters in the brain?

A) glutamate; acetylcholine
B) GABA; glycine
C) glycine; acetylcholine
D) glutamate; GABA
E) acetylcholine; dopamine

Question 42

Match up the transmitter substance below with the appropriate behavioral role or action of that transmitter:

A) acetylcholine; facilitation of perceptual learning
B) dopamine; suppresses certain species-typical behaviors
C) norepinephrine; facilitation of learning
D) serotonin; increases vigilance
E) GABA; generally activates voluntary movements

Question 43

________ is the primary neurotransmitter secreted by motor axons of the CNS.

A) Dopamine
B) Norepinephrine
C) Acetylcholine
D) Serotonin
E) GABA

Question 44

Activation of a presynaptic autoreceptor on dendrites can produce a hyperpolarization that

A) releases more transmitter.
B) increases synthesis of transmitter.
C) increases reuptake of the transmitter.
D) reduces transmitter release by reducing the axon firing rate.
E) increases the number of receptors at the synapse.

Question 45

Which of the following is an incorrect match between a neurotransmitter and its effects?

A) glutamate ; generally excitatory in the brain
B) acetylcholine ; activates the cortex and facilitates learning
C) glycine ; generally inhibitory in the brain
D) glutamate; released by all sensory neurons
E) acetylcholine; subject to reuptake by the axon terminals

Question 46

Which transmitter below induces muscle movement and is the primary transmitter secreted by efferent axons of the central nervous system?

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

Question 47

The postsynaptic action of acetylcholine is terminated by

A) reuptake of choline into the presynaptic terminal.
B) reuptake of acetylcholine into the presynaptic terminal.
C) enzymatic destruction via acetylcholinesterase.
D) diffusion away from the synapse.
E) reduced synthesis of acetylcholine.

Question 48

Acetylcholine is produced when ________ accepts an acetate ion from coenzyme A and transfers it to a choline molecule.

A) acetylcholinesterase
B) coenzyme A
C) muscarine transferase
D) choline acetyltransferase
E) nicotine synthase

Question 49

Inactivation of a transporter in the presynaptic membrane would be expected to

A) increase the levels of the transmitter in the synapse.
B) increase synthesis of the transmitter.
C) increase reuptake of the transmitter.
D) provide negative feedback on synthesis or release of transmitter.
E) increase the transmitter synthesis.

Question 50

In the anecdote on cholinergic toxicity, Mr. F. contracted botulism by

A) tasting the liquid from a spoiled jar of asparagus.
B) using eye drops containing atropine.
C) being bitten by a black widow spider.
D) eating mayonnaise on a hot dog.
E) over-exercise following a large meal.

Question 51

An ionotropic cholinergic receptor produces a postsynaptic potential that is

A) slow to develop but short in duration.
B) rapid but of long duration.
C) not related to the opening of an ion channel.
D) rapid and short in duration.
E) slow to develop and long in duration.

Question 52

The disease process of myasthenia gravis produces muscle weakness by

A) overproducing ACh receptors on muscles.
B) reducing ACh function in the basal forebrain.
C) reducing the number of ACh receptors on muscles.
D) reducing ACh function in the dorsolateral pons.
E) enhancing the release of glycine onto spinal cord motoneurons.

Question 53

Match up the cholinergic fiber system with the correct role of that system in the control of behavior:

A) Most CNS circuits that use ACh are inhibitory for learning.
B) Cholinergic neurons in the dorsolateral pons are involved in the control of the electrical rhythms of the hippocampus.
C) Cholinergic neurons in the medial septum are involved in the control of the electrical rhythms of the hippocampus.
D) Cholinergic neurons in the basal forebrain are involved in the control of REM sleep.
E) Cholinergic neurons in the medial septum facilitate learning.

Question 54

The two most commonly used synaptic neurotransmitters in the brain are

A) glycine; acetylcholine
B) GABA; glycine
C) glutamate; GABA
D) glutamate; acetylcholine
E) acetylcholine; dopamine

Question 55

Cholinergic neurons within the ________ are thought to ________.

A) basal forebrain; control the electrical activity of the thalamus
B) dorsolateral pons; facilitate learning
C) medial septum; elicit most of the aspects of REM sleep
D) cerebellum; elicit motor movements
E) dorsolateral pons; elicit most of the aspects of REM sleep

Question 56

A drug that blocks acetylcholinesterase in brain would be expected to

A) permanently damage brain cholinergic neurons.
B) decrease the amount of acetylcholine in the synapse.
C) increase the synaptic levels of acetylcholine.
D) alter the activity of the cholinergic autoreceptors.
E) reduce the rate of reuptake of acetylcholine into glial cells.

Question 57

Termination of the postsynaptic potential would be expected from a drug or process that acts to

A) increase synthesis of the neurotransmitter molecule.
B) enzymatically degrade the neurotransmitter molecule.
C) blocks transport of the neurotransmitter molecule through the axon membrane.
D) increase the number of postsynaptic receptors.
E) increase release of the neurotransmitter.

Question 58

Which pair of drugs below is known to facilitate and inhibit (respectively) the release of acetylcholine?

A) fluoxetine ; nicotine
B) botulinum toxin; muscarine
C) botulinum toxin; black widow spider venom
D) black widow spider venom; botulinum toxin
E) black widow spider venom; fluoxetine

Question 59

Damage to the ________ cholinergic system would be expected to impair learning.

A) dorsolateral pons
B) hypothalamocortical
C) basal forebrain
D) medial septal
E) corticospinal

Question 60

Activation of the ________ has been related to the control of REM sleep.

A) dorsolateral pons ACh system
B) hypothalamocortical ACh system
C) basal forebrain ACh system
D) medial septal ACh system
E) motor neuron ACh system

Question 61

The drug ________ causes pupil dilation by blocking ________ receptors.

A) cocaine; dopaminergic
B) atropine; muscarinic
C) curare; muscarinic
D) belladona; adrenergic
E) muscarine; nicotinic

Question 62

Tyrosine is the precursor for the synthesis of

A) serotonin.
B) dopamine.
C) glutamate.
D) acetylcholine.
E) glycine.

Question 63

The ________ dopamine system plays a key role in the control of ________.

A) nigrostriatal; planning and problem solving
B) mesolimbic; movement
C) mesocortical; movement
D) mesospinal; reinforcing effects of drugs such as cocaine
E) mesocortical; planning and problem solving

Question 64

Abnormal brain levels of dopamine are associated with

A) mania and bipolar disorder.
B) schizophrenia and Parkinson's disease.
C) Alzheimer's disease and schizophrenia.
D) Klüver-Bucy syndrome and Huntington's chorea.
E) mood disorder and depression.

Question 65

The drug reserpine

A) was used medically to treat high blood pressure.
B) is used to treat myasthenia gravis.
C) blocks the storage of monoamines in vesicles.
D) can produce Parkinson's disease in some persons.
E) interferes with the synthesis of dopamine.

Question 66

The amino acid ________ is the synthesis precursor for dopamine and norepinephrine.

A) tyrosine
B) tryptophan
C) norepinephrine
D) DBH
E) epinephrine

Question 67

Which pair of drugs below are antagonists for the muscarinic and nicotinic (respectively) receptors?

A) atropine; curare
B) hemicholium; atropine
C) curare; atropine
D) muscarine; nicotine
E) acetylcholinesterase; choline acetyltransferase

Question 68

A person who eats cheese while taking a(n) ________ may suffer a fatal increase in blood pressure.

A) cholinergic agonist
B) monoamine oxidase inhibitor drug
C) dopamine releaser
D) dopamine receptor antagonist
E) glutamate agonist

Question 69

Which of the following is true of dopamine receptors?

A) Dopamine receptors are metabotropic.
B) All dopamine receptors are ionotropic.
C) D1 receptors are located on the presynaptic membrane.
D) D2 receptors are only found on postsynaptic membranes.
E) Cyclic AMP is increased by activation of D1 as well as D2 receptors.

Question 70

Degeneration of neurons within the ________ dopamine system leads to Parkinson's disease.

A) nigrostriatal
B) mesocortical
C) hypothalamocortical
D) mesolimbic
E) retinal-suprachiasmatic

Question 71

Which of the following is classified as an indolamine?

A) glycine
B) serotonin
C) dopamine
D) acetylcholine
E) norepinephrine

Question 72

Nicotinic receptors are found in ________ in the periphery and in ________ in the brain.

A) cardiac fibers; glial cells
B) muscle fibers; axoaxonic synapses
C) the pupils; axoaxonic synapses
D) cardiac fibers; axodendritic synapses
E) the lungs; axodendritic synapses

Question 73

The neostriatum consists of the

A) putamen and the hippocampus.
B) ventral tegmental area and the overlying pons.
C) cerebellum and the nucleus accumbens.
D) caudate nucleus and the putamen.
E) amygdala and the hippocampus.

Question 74

Damage to the ________ dopaminergic system would be expected to impair movement.

A) nigrostriatal
B) hypothalamocortical
C) mesocortical
D) mesolimbic
E) corticospinal

Question 75

Low doses of the drug apomorphine

A) are toxic in the same way as is curare.
B) increase synthesis of epinephrine.
C) reduce sensitivity to pain.
D) stimulate nicotinic receptors as well as D1 receptors.
E) inhibit the synthesis and release of dopamine.

Question 76

Curare is used in medical clinics to

A) tighten wrinkled skin.
B) block pain reactivity during tooth extractions.
C) minimize muscle weakness in persons suffering from myasthenia gravis.
D) dilate the pupils of the eyes.
E) induce relaxation in muscles that are to be cut during a surgical procedure.

Question 77

Drugs that inactivate monoamine oxidase B would be expected to

A) also block D2 receptors.
B) increase the release of dopamine in response to the arrival of an action potential at the terminal buttons.
C) make the dopamine transporter run in reverse.
D) cause the release of serotonin into the synaptic cleft.
E) increase the release of acetylcholine in response to the arrival of an action potential at the terminal buttons.

Question 78

Which pair below represents the receptor subtypes for acetylcholine?

A) cholinergic; adrenergic
B) muscarinic; adrenergic
C) alpha-cholinergic; beta-cholinergic
D) nicotinic; muscarinic
E) beta-cholinergic; delta-cholinergic

Question 79

Which of the following is true of the cholinergic systems?

A) Hemicholium blocks the release of acetylcholine from peripheral neurons.
B) Acetylcholinesterase blocks the reuptake of choline into the presynaptic terminal.
C) The drug atropine is used to treat myasthenia gravis.
D) Muscarinic receptors are more numerous than nicotinic receptors in the brain.
E) Black widow spider venom prevents the release of acetylcholine.

Question 80

A drug that causes the transporters for dopamine to run in reverse would

A) increase the synthesis of dopamine.
B) increase the reuptake of dopamine.
C) antagonize the postsynaptic receptors for dopamine.
D) spill dopamine into the synaptic cleft.
E) more rapidly clear dopamine out of the synaptic cleft.