Question 1

The catecholamines include all of the following neurotransmitters,EXCEPT:
A) norepinephrine (NE).
B) dopamine (DA).
C) serotonin (5-HT).
D) epinephrine (E).

Accepted Answer

Serotonin (5-HT) is not a catecholamine. The catecholamines are NE, DA, and E, which all share a common chemical structure with a catechol group (a benzene ring with two adjacent hydroxyl groups) and an amine group.

Question 2

The nucleus of a neural cell is found in the:
A) soma.
B) dendrite.
C) axon.
D) presynaptic terminal.

Accepted Answer

The nucleus of a neural cell is typically located in the cell body or soma. This is where the genetic information and essential organelles (such as mitochondria) are housed. The dendrites receive signals from other neurons, the axon conducts signals away from the cell body, and the presynaptic terminal releases neurotransmitters to communicate with other neurons, but the nucleus is not found in these locations.

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"

Accepted Answer

The spinal cord does not initiate motor commands; it transmits motor information from the brain to the body. Motor commands are initiated in the brain.

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.

Accepted Answer

The hypothalamus secretes releasing or inhibiting hormones that stimulate or suppress the release of hormones from the pituitary gland. The pituitary gland then releases the hormones that act on the target organs. Therefore, the correct sequence is hypothalamus → pituitary gland → target organ.

Question 5

The brain stem is involved in all of the following functions,EXCEPT:
A) attention.
B) filtering.
C) arousal.
D) behavioral alerting (vigilance).

Accepted Answer

The answer of The brain stem is involved in all...

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.

Accepted Answer

The faster conduction velocity in Neuron A suggests that it possesses a myelin sheath, as this insulating layer speeds up the propagation of the action potential. The length or location of the neurons is not necessarily related to their conduction velocity.

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.

Accepted Answer

Reversible acetylcholine esterase inhibitors are used to treat Alzheimer's disease, as the disease is characterized by the loss of cholinergic neurons in the brain. By inhibiting AChE, these drugs increase the availability of acetylcholine, which can help improve cognitive function in Alzheimer's patients.

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.

Accepted Answer

Exocytosis refers to the process by which neurotransmitters are released from the presynaptic terminal of a neural cell. This process involves the movement of synaptic vesicles containing the neurotransmitters towards the presynaptic membrane, followed by fusion of the vesicles with the membrane and release of the neurotransmitters into the synaptic cleft. Therefore, both the presynaptic terminal and the vesicles of the neural cell are involved in exocytosis.

Question 9

The diencephalon includes all but the following:
A) hypothalamus.
B) pituitary gland.
C) subthalamus.
D) cerebrum.

Accepted Answer

The cerebrum is not part of the diencephalon, as it is the largest part of the brain and is located above the diencephalon. The diencephalon includes the hypothalamus, pituitary gland, and subthalamus.

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

Accepted Answer

The answer of Which of the following is NOT a...

Question 11

The basic cellular unit of the central nervous system is the:
A) nerve.
B) tract.
C) axon.
D) neuron.

Accepted Answer

The neuron is the basic cellular unit of the central nervous system. It is responsible for transmitting information within the nervous system through electrical and chemical signals. Nerves and tracts are composed of multiple neurons bundled together, and axons are a part of individual neurons that transmit signals to other neurons or muscles.

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.

Accepted Answer

Inhibition of AChE stops the degradation of ACh, resulting in increased levels of ACh in the synaptic cleft. This leads to prolonged stimulation of postsynaptic ACh receptors, resulting in increased synaptic transmission.

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.

Accepted Answer

Scopolamine is an anticholinergic drug that blocks postsynaptic ACh receptors, thereby inhibiting cholinergic neurotransmission. This results in a variety of effects such as decreased cognitive function and memory, sedation, and hallucinations.

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.

Accepted Answer

Nerve gases such as Sarin block postsynaptic ACh receptors, which leads to an accumulation of ACh in the synaptic cleft, causing overstimulation of the nervous system and ultimately leading to paralysis and death.

Question 15

The brain stem includes all but the following:
A) pons.
B) medulla.
C) midbrain.
D) thalamus.

Accepted Answer

The thalamus is a part of the diencephalon, which is not considered a part of the brain stem.

Question 16

Muscarinic receptors are:
A) ionotropic.
B) metabotropic.
C) "fast."
D) presynaptic.

Accepted Answer

Muscarinic receptors are a type of metabotropic receptor, meaning that they work through second messenger systems and do not directly open or close ion channels.

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.

Accepted Answer

MAO inhibitor antidepressants work by blocking the enzymatic breakdown of neurotransmitters, specifically monoamine oxidase (MAO) which breaks down serotonin, dopamine, and norepinephrine. By inhibiting this breakdown, levels of these neurotransmitters increase in the brain, leading to a therapeutic effect for depression.

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.

Accepted Answer

The hypothalamus is responsible for regulating many motivational behaviors, including hunger and thirst (options A and B) and sexual behavior (option C). However, the rage response is primarily controlled by the amygdala, a separate brain structure.

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.

Accepted Answer

Insecticides typically work by blocking postsynaptic ACh receptors, leading to the paralysis and death of the insect. This can be achieved through various mechanisms, such as inhibiting the activity of an enzyme called acetylcholinesterase, which normally breaks down ACh and allows for proper neuronal signaling. By blocking ACh receptors, insecticides disrupt neural signaling and ultimately lead to the insect's demise.

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.

Accepted Answer

The answer of Inhibition of acetylcholine esterase (AChE)results in:
A) blockade...

Quiz 1: The Neuron, Synaptic Transmission, and Neurotransmitters

The catecholamines include all of the following neurotransmitters,EXCEPT:

The nucleus of a neural cell is found in the:

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

The correct sequence for hormone release is the following:

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

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:

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

In neurophysiology,the term exocytosis applies to:

The diencephalon includes all but the following:

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

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

Inhibition of acetylcholine esterase (AChE) results in:

Administration of the psychedelic drug scopolamine results in:

Nerve gases such as Sarin produce their effects by:

The brain stem includes all but the following:

Muscarinic receptors are:

The mechanism of action of the MAO inhibitor antidepressants is:

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

Insecticides produce their effects by:

Inhibition of acetylcholine esterase (AChE) results in: