Question 1

Which of the following is not a catecholamine?&#10;A) Dopamine&#10;B) Glutamine&#10;C) Norepinephrine&#10;D) Epinephrine

Accepted Answer

Glutamine is not a catecholamine; it is an amino acid. Dopamine, norepinephrine, and epinephrine are all catecholamines, which are neurotransmitters involved in the body's fight or flight response.

Question 2

The two most important enzymes in the metabolism of monoamines are&#10;A) catechol-O-methyltransferase and tyrosine hydroxylase.&#10;B) monoamine oxidase and homovanillic acid.&#10;C) catechol-O-methyltransferase and monoamine oxidase.&#10;D) monoamine oxidase and tyrosine hydroxylase.

Accepted Answer

Catechol-O-methyltransferase (COMT) and monoamine oxidase (MAO) are the two key enzymes involved in the metabolism of monoamines, which include neurotransmitters such as dopamine, norepinephrine, and serotonin. COMT adds a methyl group to the catecholamine structure, while MAO breaks down monoamines, making them both crucial for regulating neurotransmitter levels in the brain.

Question 3

High levels of MHPG, HVA, and VMA in the blood and urine can indicate&#10;A) increased transporter activation.&#10;B) decreased catecholamine synthesis.&#10;C) dysfunctional receptors.&#10;D) increased catecholamine levels.

Accepted Answer

MHPG (3-methoxy-4-hydroxyphenylglycol), HVA (homovanillic acid), and VMA (vanillylmandelic acid) are metabolites of catecholamines. High levels of these metabolites in the blood and urine typically indicate increased catecholamine levels, as they are produced when catecholamines like norepinephrine and dopamine are broken down.

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.

Accepted Answer

The major difference between D1-like receptors (including D₁, which refers to a subtype of D1 dopamine receptors) and D2-like receptors (including D₂, which refers to a subtype of D2 dopamine receptors) is their effect on adenylyl cyclase and cAMP levels. D1-like receptors stimulate adenylyl cyclase, increasing cAMP levels, while D2-like receptors inhibit adenylyl cyclase, decreasing cAMP levels.

Question 5

Dopamine transporter knockout mice are hyperactive relative to wild-type mice because&#10;A) they produce more dopamine than wild-type mice.&#10;B) they have fewer receptors than wild-type mice.&#10;C) their dopaminergic neurons cannot remove dopamine from the synaptic cleft.&#10;D) they cannot synthesize dopamine.

Accepted Answer

Dopamine transporter knockout mice are hyperactive because the dopamine transporter, which normally removes dopamine from the synaptic cleft and terminates its action, is not functional. This leads to increased dopamine activity.

Question 6

Interpreting data from knockout mice can be complicated by the genetic strain of mouse used to create the mutation because&#10;A) some mouse strains do not breed well.&#10;B) strains vary widely in their behavior before any knockouts occur.&#10;C) some strains do not have the genes that the knockout is targeting.&#10;D) strains vary widely in their genetic makeup to begin with.

Accepted Answer

The answer of Interpreting data from knockout mice can be...

Question 7

Which statement about norepinephrine is false?&#10;A) It acts in both the central nervous system and the autonomic nervous system.&#10;B) It is thought to play a role in arousal.&#10;C) NE terminals are found in widespread brain regions.&#10;D) NE producing cell bodies are widespread in the brain.

Accepted Answer

NE producing cell bodies are not widespread in the brain; they are primarily located in the locus coeruleus.

Question 8

Why can norepinephrine be considered a hormone?&#10;A) It is released from the locus coeruleus into the general circulation.&#10;B) It is released from the hypothalamus into the general circulation.&#10;C) It is released from the adrenal glands into the general circulation.&#10;D) Actually, it cannot be considered a hormone, only a neurotransmitter.

Accepted Answer

Norepinephrine can be considered a hormone because it is released from the adrenal glands into the general circulation, which is a characteristic of hormones. They are secreted by glands and travel through the bloodstream to affect distant organs.

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

Accepted Answer

Activation of $\alpha$₂-receptors in the prefrontal cortex (PFC) enhances working memory, while activation of $\alpha$₁-receptors can have detrimental effects on cognitive function.

Question 10

Recent research investigating the effects of epinephrine on learning suggest that _______ may improve cognitive function in aged individuals.&#10;A) decreasing NE levels&#10;B) increasing glucose levels&#10;C) decreasing vagus nerve activity&#10;D) increasing stress levels

Accepted Answer

Increasing glucose levels can improve cognitive function in aged individuals, as glucose is a primary energy source for the brain, and enhancing its availability can support cognitive processes.

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

Accepted Answer

The answer of The $\beta$₂-receptor agonist albuterol is used to...

Question 12

The main reason for giving albuterol via inhaler is that it reduces&#10;A) congestion in the nose.&#10;B) cardiovascular side effects.&#10;C) the cost of the prescription.&#10;D) the time required for the drug to work.

Accepted Answer

The answer of The main reason for giving albuterol via...

Question 13

$\beta$-receptor antagonists help patients with generalized anxiety by&#10;A) reducing some of the physical symptoms associated with anxiety.&#10;B) acting directly on brain regions involved in anxiety.&#10;C) increasing sympathetic nervous system activity, which makes the person feel better able to cope with anxiety-producing situations.&#10;D) causing sedation.

Accepted Answer

The answer of $\beta$-receptor antagonists help patients with generalized anxiety...

Question 14

Compare and contrast the function of autoreceptors and transporters.

Accepted Answer

The answer of Compare and contrast the function of autoreceptors...

Question 15

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

Accepted Answer

The answer of Describe the relationship between $\alpha$₂-adrenergic receptors and...

Question 16

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

Accepted Answer

The answer of Describe two possible mechanisms by which peripheral...

Deck 4: Catecholamines