Question 1

What are the stages of the progression of Alzheimer's disease? Provide a description of the biological changes that occur in Alzheimer's disease and discuss current treatment strategies as well.

Accepted Answer

The answer of What are the stages of the progression...

Question 2

Graduate student Nell is interested in learning more about the receptors for acetylcholine, termed cholinergic receptors. What terms should Nell use when performing a literature search?

Accepted Answer

Nicotinic receptors and muscarinic receptors are the two main types of cholinergic receptors, which are specific to the neurotransmitter acetylcholine. Nicotinic receptors are ionotropic, while muscarinic receptors are metabotropic.

Question 3

The central nervous system uses hormones to regulate the ____ system.

Accepted Answer

The central nervous system regulates the endocrine system through the hypothalamus and pituitary gland, which release hormones that control other endocrine glands in the body.

Question 4

Which neurotransmitter is a direct precursor to norepinephrine?

Accepted Answer

Dopamine is the direct precursor to norepinephrine in the biosynthesis pathway of catecholamines.

Question 5

Professor Shah announces to his students, "Today we are going to learn about 5-HT." Which neurotransmitter is Professor Shah referring to?

Accepted Answer

5-HT refers to 5-hydroxytryptamine, which is more commonly known as serotonin, a neurotransmitter involved in various functions including mood regulation.

Question 6

How does nitric oxide defy the traditional definition of a neurotransmitter?

Accepted Answer

Nitric oxide defies the traditional definition of a neurotransmitter because it is not stored in vesicles. Unlike most neurotransmitters that are packaged and stored in vesicles until they are released into the synaptic cleft, nitric oxide is synthesized on demand and diffuses directly across cell membranes to affect neighboring cells.

Question 7

The synthesis of serotonin begins with the essential amino acid ____.

Accepted Answer

Serotonin synthesis begins with tryptophan, an essential amino acid that must be obtained through the diet.

Question 8

All dopamine receptors are ____.

Accepted Answer

All dopamine receptors are metabotropic, meaning they work through a secondary messenger system rather than directly affecting ion channels.

Question 9

The key neurotransmitter for the parasympathetic nervous system is ____.

Accepted Answer

The parasympathetic nervous system primarily uses acetylcholine as its neurotransmitter to promote rest-and-digest activities.

Question 10

Nerve impulses occur when a neuron undergoes a change from a resting potential to an action potential. Discuss this progression from a resting potential to an action potential and finally to a refractory period. Include in your answer a description of each phase (resting, action, refractory), such as the ion fluxes that occur at each stage and the resulting change in membrane potential.

Accepted Answer

The answer of Nerve impulses occur when a neuron undergoes...

Question 11

Neurotrophins are a family of neurotrophic factors that promote the survival and plasticity of neurons during development and in adulthood by acting on ____ receptors.

Accepted Answer

Neurotrophins act on Trk (tropomyosin receptor kinase) receptors to promote the survival, development, and function of neurons.

Question 12

Which is an example of a dopamine pathway in the brain that is important for psychoactive drugs?

Accepted Answer

The nigrostriatal pathway is a major dopamine pathway in the brain, important for the regulation of movement. Dysfunction in this pathway is associated with Parkinson's disease, and it is also a target for some psychoactive drugs.

Question 13

What is the function of monoamine oxidase and catechol-O-methyltransferase?

Accepted Answer

Monoamine oxidase (MAO) and catechol-O-methyltransferase (COMT) are enzymes that catabolize (break down) catecholamines, such as dopamine, norepinephrine, and epinephrine, thereby terminating their actions.

Question 14

Deena was recently diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease. What class of drug might her doctor prescribe to her?

Accepted Answer

Acetylcholinesterase inhibitors are commonly prescribed for Alzheimer's disease to increase acetylcholine levels in the brain, which can help improve or stabilize symptoms.

Question 15

Cholinergic receptors are ____.

Accepted Answer

Cholinergic receptors can be either ionotropic, such as nicotinic acetylcholine receptors, or metabotropic, such as muscarinic acetylcholine receptors.

Question 16

The cell bodies for serotonergic neurons are located in the ____.

Accepted Answer

The cell bodies for serotonergic neurons are primarily located in the raphe nuclei, which are found in the brainstem. These neurons project widely throughout the brain, influencing various functions including mood, appetite, and sleep.

Question 17

How do hormones differ from neurotransmitters?

Accepted Answer

Hormones induce widespread effects because they are released into the bloodstream and can affect various organs and tissues throughout the body, unlike neurotransmitters which typically have localized effects at synapses.

Question 18

Dr. Ratanaj is about to begin a new research project exploring the role of norepinephrine in the brain. To learn more about the receptors to which norepinephrine binds, Dr. Ratanaj should perform a literature search using which term?

Accepted Answer

Norepinephrine binds to adrenoceptors, which are a class of G protein-coupled receptors that are targets of the catecholamines, especially norepinephrine (noradrenaline) and epinephrine (adrenaline).

Question 19

Noradrenergic neurons are concentrated in the ____.

Accepted Answer

Noradrenergic neurons, which produce and release the neurotransmitter norepinephrine, are primarily concentrated in the locus coeruleus. This area of the brainstem plays a significant role in arousal, attention, stress, and memory functions.

Question 20

The opioid system is acted on by drugs such as ____.

Accepted Answer

Morphine acts on the opioid system by binding to opioid receptors in the brain, which are involved in pain, reward, and addictive behaviors.

Quiz 3: Neurotransmission