Deck 1: The Neuron, Synaptic Transmission, and Neurotransmitters

Question 1

The catecholamines include all of the following neurotransmitters,EXCEPT:

A) norepinephrine (NE).
B) dopamine (DA).
C) serotonin (5-HT).
D) epinephrine (E).

Answer 1

C

Question 2

The nucleus of a neural cell is found in the:

A) soma.
B) dendrite.
C) axon.
D) presynaptic terminal.

Answer 2

A

Question 3

Which of the following activities is NOT a function of the spinal cord?

A) carrying sensory information from "body" (that is,skin,muscles,joints,and internals organs)to brain
B) carrying motor information from brain to "body"
C) modulating sensory information en route from "body" to brain
D) initiating motor commands to "body"

Answer 3

D

Question 4

The correct sequence for hormone release is the following:

A) pituitary gland $\rightarrow$ hypothalamus $\rightarrow$ target organ.
B) hypothalamus $\rightarrow$ pituitary gland $\rightarrow$ target organ.
C) pituitary gland $\rightarrow$ target organ $\rightarrow$ hypothalamus.
D) hypothalamus $\rightarrow$ target organ $\rightarrow$ pituitary gland.

Question 5

The brain stem is involved in all of the following functions,EXCEPT:

A) attention.
B) filtering.
C) arousal.
D) behavioral alerting (vigilance).

Question 6

The conduction velocity of two neurons was compared.The action potential was conducted much faster in Neuron A than in Neuron B.These data suggest that:

A) Neuron A is shorter than Neuron B.
B) Neuron B must possess a myelin sheath.
C) Neuron B is found in the spinal cord.
D) Neuron A possesses a myelin sheath.

Question 7

Reversible acetylcholine esterase (AChE)inhibitors are used clinically to treat:

A) Parkinson's disease.
B) multiple sclerosis.
C) muscular dystrophy.
D) Alzheimer's disease.

Question 8

In neurophysiology,the term exocytosis applies to:

A) the neural cell body.
B) the presynaptic terminal of the neural cell.
C) the vesicles of the neural cell.
D) both the presynaptic terminal and the vesicles of the neural cell.

Question 9

The diencephalon includes all but the following:

A) hypothalamus.
B) pituitary gland.
C) subthalamus.
D) cerebrum.

Question 10

Which of the following is NOT a member of the limbic system?

A) hypothalamus
B) amygdala
C) hippocampus
D) dopamine-rich reward centers

Question 11

The basic cellular unit of the central nervous system is the:

A) nerve.
B) tract.
C) axon.
D) neuron.

Question 12

Inhibition of acetylcholine esterase (AChE)results in:

A) blockade of postsynaptic ACh receptors.
B) increased degradation of ACh.
C) decreased synthesis of ACh.
D) increased levels of ACh.

Question 13

Administration of the psychedelic drug scopolamine results in:

A) blockade of postsynaptic ACh receptors.
B) increased degradation of ACh.
C) decreased synthesis of ACh.
D) increased levels of ACh.

Question 14

Nerve gases such as Sarin produce their effects by:

A) blocking postsynaptic ACh receptors.
B) increasing degradation of ACh.
C) decreasing synthesis of ACh.
D) increasing levels of ACh.

Question 15

The brain stem includes all but the following:

A) pons.
B) medulla.
C) midbrain.
D) thalamus.

Question 16

Muscarinic receptors are:

A) ionotropic.
B) metabotropic.
C) "fast."
D) presynaptic.

Question 17

The mechanism of action of the MAO inhibitor antidepressants is:

A) blockade of receptors (antagonist action).
B) blockade of neurotransmitter reuptake (reuptake inhibitor).
C) blockade of enzymatic breakdown of neurotransmitter.
D) increase in release of neurotransmitter.

Question 18

The hypothalamus is a motivating force behind all the following behaviors,EXCEPT:

A) the drive to eat.
B) the drive to drink.
C) the drive for sex.
D) the rage response.

Question 19

Insecticides produce their effects by:

A) blocking postsynaptic ACh receptors.
B) increasing degradation of ACh.
C) decreasing synthesis of ACh.
D) increasing levels of ACh.

Question 20

Inhibition of acetylcholine esterase (AChE)results in:

A) blockade of postsynaptic ACh receptors.
B) increased degradation of ACh.
C) decreased degradation of ACh.
D) decreased synthesis of ACh.

Question 21

Cell bodies of the neurotransmitter norepinephrine (NE)originate from the _____; its precursor (that is,the chemical from which it is directly converted)is _____.

A) midbrain; l-dopa
B) midbrain; dopamine
C) locus coeruleus; l-dopa
D) locus coeruleus; dopamine

Question 22

A new drug has been developed that improves psychotic symptoms in schizophrenics.Based on current knowledge in behavioral pharmacology,the ______ receptor is a possible site of action.

A) D1
B) D5
C) D2A
D) D6B

Question 23

The psychedelic drugs phencyclidine (PCP)and ketamine block receptors for the neurotransmitter:

A) DA.
B) NE.
C) 5-HT.
D) glutamate.

Question 24

New norepinephrine (NE)must be synthesized to replace each molecule that is released into the synapse.

Question 25

Noradrenergic pathways:

A) originate in the forebrain.
B) project down the spinal cord to produce analgesic effects..
C) regulate hormone release from the pituitary.
D) project from the substantia nigra to the cerebellum.

Question 26

Antipsychotic medications chiefly affect the neurotransmitter:

A) NE.
B) DA.
C) 5-HT.
D) E.

Question 27

Drugs that affect the neurotransmitter dopamine (DA)are used clinically to treat:

A) bipolar disorder.
B) schizophrenia.
C) panic disorder.
D) Alzheimer's disease.

Question 28

The neurotransmitter thought to be involved in a variety of processes including sleep,sex,affective disorders,and pain is:

A) ACh.
B) DA.
C) 5-HT.
D) NE.

Question 29

In neurochemistry,the terms alpha and beta refer to subtypes of the neurotransmitter:

A) NE.
B) DA.
C) 5-HT.
D) E.

Question 30

Once a neuron in the brain dies,it is not replaced.

Question 31

The endogenous opoids including the enkephalins and endorphins are _____ neurotransmitters.

A) amino acid
B) classical
C) catecholamine
D) peptide

Question 32

The most common inhibitory and excitatory neurotransmitters in the brain are,respectively:

A) NE and 5-HT.
B) NE and GABA.
C) glutamate and GABA.
D) GABA and glutamate.

Question 33

The benzodiazepine anxiolytics and barbiturate sedatives bind to the ligand-gated ion channel for the neurotransmitter:

A) glutamate.
B) GABA.
C) 5-HT.
D) NE.

Question 34

Blockade of the following receptor produces effects ranging from hallucinations to protection from excitotoxicity and head injury:

A) NMDA.
B) kainate.
C) AMPA.
D) quisqualate.

Question 35

The brain site responsible for producing the majority of the neurotransmitter serotonin (5-HT)in the brain is the:

A) raphe nuclei.
B) substantia nigra.
C) basal ganglia.
D) locus coeruleus.

Question 36

The brain site responsible for producing the majority of the neurotransmitter norepinephrine (NE)in the brain is:

A) the raphe nuclei.
B) the substantia nigra.
C) the basal ganglia.
D) the locus coeruleus.

Question 37

Acetylcholine is a catecholamine neurotransmitter.

Question 38

An experimental lesion is performed in a mouse resulting in a dramatic change in the amount of REM sleep displayed by the animal.Based on what you know about neurotransmitters,the most reasonable conclusion is that the circuit involved must use:

A) dopamine.
B) acetylcholine.
C) glutamate.
D) GABA.

Question 39

The neurotransmitters most clearly implicated in reward mechanisms and orienting responses,respectively,are:

A) 5-HT and DA.
B) DA and 5-HT.
C) DA and NE.
D) NE and DA.

Question 40

Alterations in the function of the following neurotransmitter and/or its receptors typically affect central motor systems:

A) ACh.
B) DA.
C) 5-HT.
D) NE.

Question 41

Serotonin (5-HT)acts upon both "fast-responding" and "slow-responding" postsynaptic receptors.

Question 42

The majority of the neurotransmitter acetylcholine (ACh)is metabolized in the synaptic cleft.

Question 43

All of the following are considered primary divisions of the brain EXCEPT the:

A) hindbrain.
B) mesencephalon.
C) diencephalon.
D) forebrain.

Question 44

GABA acts upon both "fast-responding" and "slow-responding" postsynaptic receptors.

Question 45

The _____ is part of the limbic system and contains dopamine.

A) tectum
B) tegmentum
C) substantia nigra
D) ventral tegmental area

Question 46

The brainstem consists of the following nuclei EXCEPT the:

A) midbrain.
B) cerebellum.
C) pons.
D) medulla.

Question 47

Acetylcholinesterase (AChE)inhibitors break down Ach in the synapse.

Question 48

Acetylcholine is a peptide neurotransmitter.

Question 49

The majority of the neurotransmitter acetylcholine (ACh)is taken back up into the presynaptic terminal.

Question 50

Acetylcholine esterase (AchE)is used clinically as a cognitive enhancer in patients with Alzheimer's disease.

Question 51

The analgesic effect of serotonin and norepinephrine agonists are thought to occur due to a reduction in the release of substance P.

Question 52

The amino acid neurotransmitters (glutamate and GABA)are widely distributed in the brain.

Question 53

The relay station between multiple subcortical areas and the cerebral cortex is known as the:

A) hypothalamus.
B) thalamus.
C) amygdala.
D) basal ganglia.

Question 54

The majority of the neurotransmitter norepinephrine (NE)is metabolized in the synaptic cleft.

Question 55

Danika was recently in a car accident and received a blow to the back of the head.She now exhibits ataxia when she walks suggesting that there has been damage to her:

A) hypothalamus.
B) cerebellum.
C) amygdala.
D) tectum.

Question 56

Acetylcholinesterase (AchE)is the major active ingredient in insecticides and Sarin.

Question 57

Enkephalins are longer in terms of overall length of the peptide than endorphins.

Question 58

The hypothalamus controls the following functions EXCEPT:

A) eating.
B) drinking.
C) body temperature.
D) sensation.

Question 59

The "roof" of the midbrain is known as the:

A) cerebellum.
B) tegmentum.
C) substantia nigra.
D) tectum.

Question 60

The neurotransmitter dopamine (DA)is may exert its effects through at least 6 receptor types.

Question 61

Autoreceptors:

A) enhance synthesis and release of neurotransmitter.
B) reduce the synthesis and additional release of neurotransmitter.
C) reduce binding at the postsynaptic receptor and produce inhibition at the synapse.
D) augment synaptic transmission.

Question 62

Vesicles fuse with the presynaptic membrane and the release of neurotransmitter into the synapse is called:

A) endocytosis.
B) exocytosis.
C) synaptic transmission.
D) transport.

Question 63

Max has developed Parkinson's disease; he may benefit from the introduction of reprogrammed _____ into his basal ganglia.

A) organelles
B) lymphocytes
C) pericytes
D) vesicles

Question 64

The D₁ receptor family includes the _____ receptor subtype.

A) D_2A
B) D₃
C) D₄
D) D₅

Question 65

Charlena has developed Alzheimers disease; current research suggests that she would benefit from drugs that activate the ______ muscarinic receptor.

A) M₂
B) M₃
C) M₄
D) N₁

Question 66

Rex has developed an addiction to alcohol.One of the circuits in his brain that is likely to be affected is the pathway from the:

A) hypothalamus to the pituitary gland.
B) substantia niagara to the basal ganglia.
C) ventral tegmental area to the limbic system.
D) ventral tegmental area to the thalamus.

Question 67

Serotonin is a(n)_____,but it is also considered a(n)_____.

A) indoleamine; monoamine
B) quaternary amine; monoamine
C) amino acid; neuropeptide
D) indoleamine; amino acid

Question 68

_____ has been implicated in the pathogenesis,cognitive dysfunction and negative symptoms of schizophrenia.

A) GABA
B) Glutamate
C) Glycine
D) Substance P

Question 69

The analgesic and reinforcing properties of morphine is thought to involve the _____ opiod receptor.

A) delta
B) omega
C) kappa
D) mu

Question 70

NMDA receptors:

A) require the presence of glycine to function properly.
B) involve magnesium ion activation.
C) require the influx of magnesium ions into the postsynaptic cell.
D) involve the influx of chloride into the cell.

Question 71

The major structures of the basal ganglia are sometimes collectively referred to as the:

A) corpus callosum.
B) corpus striatum.
C) corpus christi.
D) motor nuclei.

Question 72

Serotonin:

A) is synthesized from tryptophan hydroxylase.
B) is abundant in the locus coeruleus.
C) plays an important role in feeding behavior.
D) is a target for antianxiety agents.

Question 73

The second major subdivision of the telencephalon is the:

A) limbic system.
B) pons.
C) cerebellum.
D) medulla.