Question 1

Tristan has decided to seek medical help for mood disturbances and appetite problems. Which neurotransmitter is most likely involved in the problems Tristan is experiencing?

Accepted Answer

Serotonin is a neurotransmitter that regulates mood, appetite, and sleep. Low levels of serotonin have been linked to depression and other mood disorders, as well as disturbances in appetite. Therefore, it is likely that serotonin is involved in Tristan's mood and appetite problems.

Question 2

Because they have similar chemical structures, morphine and heroin are able to lock into receptor sites for __________.

Accepted Answer

Morphine and heroin are opioids that mimic the body's natural pain-relieving chemicals, the endorphins, by binding to endorphin receptors in the brain and other organs.

Question 3

Enzymatic degradation is the process by which an excess of a neurotransmitter called __________ is removed from synapses. Other neurotransmitters can be removed via the process of reuptake.

Accepted Answer

Acetylcholine is removed from synapses through enzymatic degradation, specifically by the enzyme acetylcholinesterase, which breaks it down. Other neurotransmitters, such as dopamine, GABA, and norepinephrine, are primarily removed via reuptake mechanisms.

Question 4

GABA functions as __________.

Accepted Answer

GABA is an inhibitory neurotransmitter in the brain, meaning that it helps to decrease neural activity and reduce the likelihood of neuron firing. It is involved in a variety of functions, including regulating anxiety, improving sleep, and reducing seizures. It is not the major neurotransmitter involved in voluntary movements, which would be acetylcholine. Nor is it responsible for slowing intestinal activity during stress, which would be the neurotransmitter noradrenaline. And it is not the major excitatory neurotransmitter in the brain, which would be glutamate.

Question 5

Which neurotransmitter is associated with sleep, mood, and appetite?

Accepted Answer

Serotonin is commonly known to regulate sleep, mood, and appetite.

Question 6

Curare, a poison, works by __________.

Accepted Answer

Curare works by blocking receptor sites and acting as an antagonist for acetylcholine, which prevents normal muscular contractions and can lead to paralysis.

Question 7

Insertion into the brain of a thin insulated wire through which an electrical current is sent that destroys the brain cells at the tip of the wire is called __________.

Accepted Answer

Lesioning involves inserting a wire into the brain to destroy cells at the tip of the wire. ESB (electrical stimulation of the brain) involves sending electrical currents through the brain to stimulate certain areas. EEG (electroencephalography) involves recording the electrical activity in the brain through electrodes on the scalp. CT scanning (computed tomography) involves using X-rays to create 3D images of the brain. Therefore, the best choice for the given description is A) lesioning.

Question 8

Agonist is to antagonist as __________.

Accepted Answer

An agonist is a substance that mimics the action of a neurotransmitter, while an antagonist blocks the action of a neurotransmitter. Therefore, "mimic is to block" correctly parallels this relationship.

Question 9

Which structure is like a locked door that only certain neurotransmitter keys can unlock?

Accepted Answer

Receptor sites are like locked doors that only certain neurotransmitter keys can unlock. At a synapse, the neurotransmitter is released into the synaptic cleft, and it must bind to a specific receptor site on the postsynaptic neuron for the signal to continue. The receptor site is like a lock on a door, and only the correct neurotransmitter can fit into the lock and activate the neuron.

Question 10

Casey is putting mustard on her hot dog. She realizes she has put too much and sucks up some of it back into the squeeze bottle. This process is similar to __________.

Accepted Answer

This process is similar to reuptake, which is the process by which neurotransmitters are taken back up into the presynaptic neuron after they have been released into the synaptic cleft. Similarly, Casey is taking the excess mustard back into the squeeze bottle, which can be compared to reuptake. The other options (A, B, and C) do not accurately reflect this process.

Question 11

The effect of alcohol is to enhance the effect of __________, which causes the general inhibition of the nervous system associated with getting drunk.

Accepted Answer

Alcohol enhances the effect of GABA (gamma-aminobutyric acid), which is the primary inhibitory neurotransmitter in the brain. This leads to the general slowing down of the nervous system associated with getting drunk.

Question 12

After being bitten by a black widow spider, Ling starts to convulse. This is a result of a __________.

Accepted Answer

Black widow spider venom triggers the release of large amounts of acetylcholine, which results in muscle contractions, spasms, and eventually convulsions.

Question 13

Pain-controlling chemicals in the body are called __________.

Accepted Answer

Endorphins are the pain-controlling chemicals in the body.

Question 14

__________ are three-dimensional proteins on the surface of the dendrites or certain cells of the muscles and glands that are shaped to fit only certain neurotransmitters.

Accepted Answer

Receptor sites are proteins on the surface of dendrites or certain cells that have a specific shape to fit only certain neurotransmitters. This allows for selective transmission of information between neurons or between neurons and muscles/glands.

Question 15

__________ synapses make it more likely that a neuron will send its message to other neurons, whereas __________ synapses make it less likely that a neuron will send its message.

Accepted Answer

Excitatory synapses stimulate the neuron to send its message, making it more likely to be sent. Inhibitory synapses, on the other hand, suppress the neuron's activity and make it less likely that the message will be sent.

Question 16

How is acetylcholine removed from the synapse?

Accepted Answer

Acetylcholine is removed from the synapse by the enzyme acetylcholinesterase, which breaks it down into choline and acetate. The choline is then taken back up into the presynaptic neuron to be used again in the synthesis of new acetylcholine molecules.

Question 17

__________ plays a critical role as a neurotransmitter that stimulates skeletal muscles to contract.

Accepted Answer

Acetylcholine is the neurotransmitter that stimulates skeletal muscles to contract. It is released by motor neurons and binds to receptors on muscle fibers, leading to muscle contraction.

Question 18

Reuptake is __________.

Accepted Answer

Reuptake is the process in which neurotransmitters are taken back into the synaptic vesicles after they have been released into the synaptic gap.

Question 19

Peyton has been experiencing a serious memory problem. An interdisciplinary team has ruled out a range of causes and believes that a neurotransmitter is involved. Which neurotransmitter is most likely involved in this problem?

Accepted Answer

Acetylcholine is a neurotransmitter that is involved in memory and learning, and deficiencies in acetylcholine have been linked to memory problems and cognitive decline. Therefore, it is the most likely neurotransmitter to be involved in Peyton's memory problem.

Question 20

Endorphins are __________.

Accepted Answer

Endorphins are pain-controlling chemicals that are produced naturally in the body. They are often referred to as the body's natural painkillers.

Quiz 2: The Biological Perspective