Deck 4: The Chemistry of Behavior: Neurotransmitters and Neuropharmacology

Question 1

Which of the following is not a specific criterion for classifying a substance as a neurotransmitter?

A) Existence of the substance in the presynaptic terminal
B) Release of the substance when nerve impulses reach the terminal ending
C) Existence of specific receptors for the substance on the postsynaptic membrane
D) Ability of the substance to travel long distances between the site of origin and target area

Answer 1

D

Question 2

Which substance is not a catecholamine neurotransmitter?

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

Answer 2

B

Question 3

Which substance is a monoamine neurotransmitter?

A) Dopamine
B) Glutamate
C) GABA
D) Glycine

Answer 3

A

Question 4

The NMDA receptor is a type of receptor for the neurotransmitter

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

Question 5

There are ________ classes of receptors for GABA.

A) 2
B) 3
C) 5
D) 15

Question 6

The discovery that the brain contains specific receptors for manufactured opiate drugs, such as morphine, implies that the body must make an _______ substance to interact with the same receptors.

A) exogenous
B) endogenous
C) excitatory
D) extemporaneous

Question 7

The precursor to serotonin is

A) l-dopa.
B) 5-hydroxytryptophan.
C) 5-hydroxytryptamine.
D) tyrosine.

Question 8

Choline acetyltransferase is involved in the synthesis of

A) monoamine oxidase.
B) acetylcholinesterase.
C) acetylcholine.
D) acetyl CoA

Question 9

Muscarine is a hallucinogen that is an agonist at muscarinic receptors. Which of the following neurotransmitters is also an agonist at muscarinic receptors?

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

Question 10

Muscarinic receptors

A) are inhibitory.
B) are excitatory.
C) may be either excitatory or inhibitory.
D) are primarily neuromuscular.

Question 11

Acetylcholine (Ach) is a neurotransmitter produced in which of the following places

A) Neurons originating from the Substantia Nigra.
B) Mesotriatal Pathway Neurons.
C) Sympathetic Postganglionic Neurons.
D) Parasympathetic Postganglionic Neurons.

Question 12

Damage to the locus coeruleus would result in decreased production of

A) norepinephrine.
B) serotonin.
C) dopamine.
D) acetylcholine.

Question 13

A major origin of projections that respond to the neurotransmitter serotonin is the

A) locus coeruleus.
B) raphe nucleus.
C) basal forebrain.
D) substantia nigra.

Question 14

The cholinergic drug atropine _______ receptors.

A) blocks muscarinic
B) activates nicotinic
C) blocks nicotinic
D) activates muscarinic

Question 15

The effects of the drug scopolamine suggest that _______ plays an important role in _______.

A) dopamine; schizophrenia
B) serotonin; depression
C) acetylcholine; learning and memory
D) GABA; seizures

Question 16

In the human brain, about how many neurons synthesize dopamine as their primary transmitter?

A) 1 million
B) 100 million
C) 400 million
D) 85 billion

Question 17

The dopamine-containing fibers of the mesolimbocortical system originate in the

A) substantia nigra.
B) locus coeruleus.
C) raphe nucleus.
D) ventral tegmental area.

Question 18

In the mammalian brain, the major inhibitory neurotransmitter is

A) serotonin.
B) acetylcholine.
C) GABA.
D) glycine.

Question 19

Drugs that block GABA receptors tend to cause

A) hallucinations.
B) depression.
C) seizures.
D) sedation.

Question 20

Drugs such as alprazolam (Xanax) work at _______ receptors which are _______.

A) GABA_a; metabotropic
B) GABA_a; ionotropic
C) D1; ionotropic
D) D1; metabotropic

Question 21

Refer to the figure.
The agonist drug shown here is classified as a _______ ligand.

A) exogenous
B) endogenous
C) excitatory
D) competitive

Question 22

A drug that affects the function of a receptor without impeding the access of neurotransmitter molecules to their binding sites on the receptor is a

A) nonselective agonist.
B) competitive ligand.
C) noncompetitive ligand.
D) nonselective antagonist.

Question 23

If drug A is found to bind to a certain type of receptor for a longer time period than drug B does, then drug A is said to have greater

A) affinity.
B) selectivity.
C) potency.
D) specificity.

Question 24

The affinity of a drug may be quantified by adding molecules of the drug to a solution containing receptors and then determining the concentration required to bind

A) all of the receptors.
B) all of the receptors of one type, but none of the receptors of a second type.
C) half of the receptors.
D) none of the receptors.

Question 25

What is the process that is being depicted in this figure?

A) Up regulation
B) Cross tolerance
C) Down regulation
D) Metabolic tolerance

Question 26

Which of the following substances blocks axonal transport?

A) Caffeine
B) Black widow spider venom
C) Tetanus toxin
D) Colchicine

Question 27

Historically, some native hunters have been known to immobilize prey using chemicals isolated from plants. Which substance would work best for this purpose?

A) Cocaine
B) Morphine
C) Curare
D) THC

Question 28

A person who develops involuntary contractions of some muscles after walking barefoot in the woods may have been exposed to

A) botulinum toxin.
B) black widow venom.
C) tetanospasmin.
D) psilocybin.

Question 29

The neuromodulator adenosine regulates synaptic activity through its actions on

A) postsynaptic receptors.
B) neurotransmitter reuptake.
C) synaptic enzymes.
D) presynaptic autoreceptors.

Question 30

You discover a compound that has a similar molecular structure to amphetamine. This compound will probably affect _______ receptors.

A) catecholamine
B) acetylcholine
C) endogenous opiate
D) GABA

Question 31

The venom of the black widow spider causes an increased release of

A) acetylcholine.
B) norepinephrine.
C) serotonin.
D) epinephrine.

Question 32

Verapamil inhibits neurotransmitter release by blocking

A) sodium channels.
B) autoreceptors.
C) calcium channels.
D) storage in vesicles.

Question 33

The mood-stabilizing drug lithium acts by

A) inhibiting serotonin reuptake.
B) blocking NMDA receptors.
C) altering second-messenger systems.
D) activating AMPA receptors.

Question 34

Which substance competes with the neuromodulator adenosine? And where on this figure would it act?

A) Caffeine; B
B) Caffeine; A
C) Colchicine; B
D) Colchicine; A

Question 35

What is the difference between first-generation antipsychotics and second-generation antipsychotics?

A) First-generation antipsychotics only treat the negative symptoms of schizophrenia
B) Second-generation antipsychotics only function at D2 receptors; whereas first-generation antipsychotics function at both D2 receptors and serotonergic receptors.
C) Second-generation antipsychotics can treat both positive and negative symptoms of schizophrenia; whereas first-generation antipsychotics only treat positive symptoms
D) Second-generation antipsychotics can treat only negative symptoms of schizophrenia; whereas first-generation antipsychotics only treat positive symptoms and negative symptoms of schizophrenia.

Question 36

The antipsychotic drug haloperidol is particularly selective for dopamine _______ receptors.

A) D₁
B) D₂
C) D₃
D) auto-

Question 37

Most antipsychotic medications act by blocking _______ receptors.

A) serotonergic
B) dopaminergic
C) cholinergic
D) muscarinic

Question 38

The receptor depicted in the figure is a ligand-gated _______ channel that, when activated by barbiturates, can reduce anxiety.

A) calcium
B) sodium
C) potassium
D) chloride

Question 39

Alcohol's calming influence may be attributable to its ability to _______ secretion.

A) decrease norepinephrine
B) increase anandamide
C) decrease opiate
D) increase allopregnanolone

Question 40

Benzodiazepines, such as diazepam or other anxiolytics, appear to modulate the activity of the neurotransmitter

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

Question 41

You discover a protein that has a binding site for benzodiazapines, steroids, and barbiturates. This protein probably binds

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

Question 42

What is the main active compound extracted from poppies?

A) Melanocortin
B) Dynorphin
C) Fentanyl
D) Morphine

Question 43

Heroin is a strong, addictive pain killer. When injected into the _______, the drug binds to_______ and causes strong analgesia.

A) Frontal cortex; opioid receptors
B) Mesostriatal pathway; D1 receptors
C) Mesolimbocortical pathway; serotonin receptors
D) Periaqueductal gray; opioid receptors

Question 44

The main active ingredient in marijuana is

A) hashish.
B) tetracycline.
C) THC.
D) PCP.

Question 45

Cannabinoid receptors have been found to be widely distributed in the brain, but they are not present in significant numbers in the

A) hippocampus.
B) substantia nigra.
C) cerebral cortex.
D) brainstem.

Question 46

There are at least _______ subtypes of cannabinoid receptors.

A) 2
B) 3
C) 5
D) 12

Question 47

Genetic disruption of _______ receptors causes mice to be unresponsive to the rewarding properties of cannabinoid drugs.

A) 5-HT₂
B) CB₁
C) GABA_A
D) CB₂

Question 48

Current research suggests that the substance _______ may be an endogenous ligand for cannabinoid receptors.

A) allopregnanolone
B) anandamide
C) THC
D) dynorphin

Question 49

Endocannabinoids are _______ and can act as retrograde messengers sending messages from postsynaptic cells to the presynaptic cell.

A) cannabinoid receptors
B) cell membrane receptor proteins
C) the active ingredient in cannabis
D) endogenous ligands

Question 50

Cocaine was initially used as a(n)

A) local anesthetic.
B) analgesic.
C) antipsychotic.
D) sedative.

Question 51

Chewing coca leaves does not result in

A) increased endurance.
B) an increased sense of well-being.
C) reduction of hunger.
D) addiction.

Question 52

On occasion, chronic abusers of amphetamines have been misdiagnosed as suffering from

A) panic disorder.
B) depression.
C) autism.
D) schizophrenia.

Question 53

One of the prominent mechanisms through which alcohol alters the functioning of the brain is its interaction with

A) myelin.
B) GABA_A receptors.
C) benzodiazepine receptors.
D) genes.

Question 54

People with alcohol addiction may develop neural degeneration and Korsakoff's syndrome as a result of a dietary deficiency of

A) thiamine.
B) protein.
C) tryptophan.
D) calcium.

Question 55

Which of the following is a possible consequence of long-term, chronic amphetamine use?

A) Compulsive behavior and depression
B) Psychosis and somnolence
C) Anxiety and cognitive impairment
D) Compulsive behavior, cognitive impairment, and psychosis

Question 56

LSD appears to exert its effects through its interactions with receptors for the neurotransmitter

A) opioid.
B) norepinephrine.
C) glycine.
D) serotonin.

Question 57

Ketamine acts by _______ receptors.

A) activating AMPA
B) activating serotonin
C) blocking NMDA
D) blocking dopamine

Question 58

Which of the following has not been shown to be an effect of the drug MDMA ("Ecstasy") in humans?

A) Memory disturbances
B) Alteration of serotonergic neurons
C) PTSD
D) Depression

Question 59

Stimulation of serotonergic receptors in the visual cortex by which drug causes hallucinations?

A) THC
B) Ketamine
C) LSD
D) Cannabidiol

Question 60

PET studies of the effects of ketamine on the brains of healthy volunteers have shown focal increases in metabolic activity in the

A) hippocampus.
B) hypothalamus.
C) brainstem.
D) prefrontal cortex.

Question 61

Ketamine is a hallucinogen which functions by blocking NMDA receptors. Which neurotransmitter typically activates NMDA receptors?

A) Glutamate
B) GABA
C) Norepinephrine
D) Nitric Oxide

Question 62

As a psychologist treating a client with recalcitrant depression and a client with obsessive-compulsive disorder, you recommend _______ and _______, respectively.

A) LSD; ketamine
B) psilocybin; ketamine
C) ketamine; psilocybin
D) ketamine; MDMA

Question 63

Which of the following models of substance abuse proposes that drug abuse/addiction takes place due to powerful reinforcement provided by the drug?

A) Moral model
B) Physical dependence model
C) Disease model
D) Positive reward model

Question 64

Naloxone (Narcan) is a powerful treatment of overdoses. It functions by _______.

A) acting as an agonist at opioid receptors
B) acting as an antagonist at opioid receptors
C) acting as an agonist at dopamine receptors
D) acting as an antagonist at dopamine receptors.

Question 65

Which drug is used to treat people who have become addicted to heroin?

A) Lithium
B) Haliperidol
C) Alcohol
D) Methadone

Question 66

Disulfiram (Antabuse) is prescribed for people who are trying to overcome dependence on

A) cocaine.
B) amphetamine.
C) alcohol.
D) heroin.

Question 67

Which statement about substance abuse treatments is true?

A) Behavioral methods do not require much time.
B) Pharmacological treatments can only treat the discomfort of withdrawal.
C) We may be able to disrupt the connection between drug cues and the rewards of a drug.
D) Vaccination studies have not produced promising results.

Question 68

An effective anti-cocaine vaccine would

A) cause absolute aversion to cocaine.
B) increase the effort required to obtain and use cocaine.
C) decrease the pleasure provided by any drug.
D) decrease the pleasure provided by cocaine.

Question 69

At present, at least _______ different types of receptors for dopamine have been identified (with two additional possibilities).

Question 70

The endogenous opiates belong to the _______ family of neurotransmitters.

Question 71

The _______ system is a dopamine-containing projection that originates in the substantia nigra and projects to the basal ganglia.

Question 72

A major source of fibers containing norepinephrine is the _______.

Question 73

The receptors for the neurotransmitter glutamate are called kainate receptors, NMDA receptors, and _______ receptors.

Question 74

The enzyme responsible for breaking down molecules of the transmitter acetylcholine is _______.

Question 75

The enzyme responsible for breaking down molecules of transmitters such as dopamine, norepinephrine, and serotonin is _______.

Question 76

The NMDA, AMPA, and kainate receptors are all _______ receptors.

Question 77

The affinities of drugs are expressed in units of concentration: the higher the affinity, the _______ the concentration.

Question 78

The fact that the drug naloxone may suppress alcohol consumption suggests that the _______ system may be involved in the effects of alcohol in the brain.

Question 79

The active ingredient in marijuana, THC, exerts its effects on the brain through interactions with _______ receptors.

Question 80

The drug "Ecstasy," or MDMA, is a hallucinogenic form of _______.