Question 1

When an action potential arrives at the axon terminal, _______ in the presynaptic terminal membrane.
A) voltage-gated calcium channels close
B) sodium channels open
C) sodium channels close
D) voltage-gated calcium channels open

Accepted Answer

When an action potential arrives at the axon terminal, voltage-gated calcium channels open in the presynaptic terminal membrane, allowing calcium ions to enter the cell. This influx of calcium triggers the release of neurotransmitter molecules from the synaptic vesicles.

Question 2

The neurologist Otto Loewi's pivotal discovery was that neurotransmitters communicate via _______ signaling.
A) electrical
B) chemical
C) gas exchange
D) ionic

Accepted Answer

Neurotransmitters are chemical messengers that transmit signals across a synapse from one neuron (nerve cell) to another "target" neuron or target cell across a narrow gap called a synaptic cleft. This is a chemical signaling process, not an electrical or gas exchange process. Therefore, the best answer is B) chemical.

Question 3

The _______ receptor uses a system of second messengers to cause changes in excitability. A) ionotropic B) metabotropic C) GABA_A D) nicotinic

Accepted Answer

Metabotropic receptors use second messengers to cause changes in excitability, while ionotropic receptors directly cause changes in membrane potential through ion channels. Nicotinic receptors are a type of ionotropic receptor, and GABA receptors are inhibitory ionotropic receptors. Therefore, the best choice is B, metabotropic receptors.

Question 4

When activated extracellularly, G protein-coupled receptors (GPCrs) initiate
A) transporters to uptake degraded neurotransmitters for recycling.
B) a G protein signaling mechanism outside the cell.
C) a G protein signaling mechanism inside the cell.
D) the release of neurotransmitter molecules into the synaptic cleft.

Accepted Answer

When activated extracellularly, G protein-coupled receptors (GPCrs) initiate a G protein signaling mechanism inside the cell, leading to downstream pathways that can affect cellular functions such as gene expression, enzyme activity, and ion channel activity. This allows for a wide range of physiological responses to different ligands binding to GPCrs.

Question 5

Muscarinic receptors are
A) all inhibitory.
B) metabotropic.
C) all excitatory.
D) ionotropic.

Accepted Answer

Muscarinic receptors are metabotropic receptors, meaning they activate second messenger systems inside the cell rather than directly opening or closing ion channels. They can be both excitatory or inhibitory depending on the subtype and location.

Question 6

Which chemical is not a monoamine neurotransmitter?
A) Dopamine
B) Serotonin
C) Epinephrine
D) Acetylcholine

Accepted Answer

Acetylcholine is not a monoamine neurotransmitter. It is instead classified as a cholinergic neurotransmitter.

Question 7

Two _______ opioids are_______-enkephalin and leu-enkephalin.
A) exogenous; met
B) endogenous; tau
C) exogenous; tau
D) endogenous; met

Accepted Answer

The question is asking for the type of opioids and their specific names. "Exogenous" refers to opioids that come from outside the body, while "endogenous" refers to opioids that are naturally produced within the body. The question is asking for the latter, so we can eliminate choices A and C. Between "tau" and "met," only "met" is a valid ending for the specific names of enkephalins. Therefore, the correct answer is D: endogenous; met.

Question 8

Two types of acetylcholine receptors are called _______ and _______.
A) AMPA; NMDA
B) α1; α2
C) muscarinic; nicotinic
D) delta; kappa

Accepted Answer

The two types of acetylcholine receptors are muscarinic and nicotinic. The other options listed are unrelated to acetylcholine receptors.

Question 9

GABA receptors are
A) inhibitory.
B) all ionotropic.
C) all metabotropic.
D) excitatory.

Accepted Answer

GABA receptors are inhibitory because they bind to the neurotransmitter gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) and open chloride ion channels, which hyperpolarize the cell and make it less likely to produce an action potential. Therefore, GABA receptors play an important role in calming the nervous system and reducing anxiety.

Question 10

The _______ system is a dopamine-containing projection that originates in the substantia nigra and projects to the basal ganglia.
A) mesostriatal
B) mesolimbocortical
C) cholinergic
D) lateral tegmental

Accepted Answer

The mesostriatal system is a dopamine-containing projection that originates in the substantia nigra and projects to the basal ganglia. The mesolimbocortical system also contains dopamine projections, but it originates in the ventral tegmental area and projects to the limbic system and cortex. The cholinergic system contains acetylcholine projections and the lateral tegmental system contains serotonergic and noradrenergic projections.

Question 11

The neurotransmitter _______ is found in nuclei of the basal forebrain.
A) acetylcholine
B) dopamine
C) norepinephrine
D) serotonin

Accepted Answer

Acetylcholine is primarily found in the nuclei of the basal forebrain, where it plays a major role in cognitive function and memory formation.

Question 12

Damage to the _______ would affect projections using the neurotransmitter serotonin.
A) locus coeruleus
B) raphe nucleus
C) basal forebrain
D) substantia nigra

Accepted Answer

The raphe nucleus is a group of nuclei located in the brainstem that produces and releases the neurotransmitter serotonin. Damage to the raphe nucleus would therefore affect projections using serotonin, which plays a role in regulating mood, appetite, and sleep. The other options listed (locus coeruleus, basal forebrain, substantia nigra) are all involved in producing and releasing different neurotransmitters (norepinephrine, acetylcholine, and dopamine, respectively) and would not directly affect serotonin projections.

Question 13

Damage to which site would affect projections using the neurotransmitter norepinephrine?
A) Locus coeruleus
B) Raphe nucleus
C) Basal forebrain
D) Substantia nigra

Accepted Answer

The locus coeruleus is the primary site of norepinephrine synthesis in the brain, therefore damage to this site would affect projections using norepinephrine.

Question 14

Noradrenergic axons project into the
A) limbic system.
B) thalamic nuclei.
C) cerebral cortex.
D) All of the above

Accepted Answer

Noradrenergic axons project into all three areas - the limbic system, thalamic nuclei, and cerebral cortex. The limbic system is involved in emotions and memory, the thalamic nuclei play a role in sensory processing and relaying information to the cortex, and the cerebral cortex is the site of higher cognitive functions such as decision-making and language.

Question 15

Drugs that mimic GABA_A receptors might be effective in treating A) schizophrenia. B) severe depression. C) anxiety disorders. D) Alzheimer's disease.

Accepted Answer

Drugs that mimic GABA receptors are commonly used to treat anxiety disorders. GABA is a neurotransmitter known to have calming effects on the brain, and therefore drugs that mimic its effects can be used to reduce anxiety. While GABA receptors may play a role in other conditions such as schizophrenia or Alzheimer's disease, there is not enough evidence to support their use in these conditions at this time.

Question 16

A drug or toxin that resembles the endogenous ligand and that can bind to the receptor and activate it is called as a(n)
A) endogenous drug.
B) exogenous mimic.
C) receptor agonist.
D) receptor antagonist.

Accepted Answer

A drug or toxin that resembles the endogenous ligand and can bind to the receptor and activate it is called a receptor agonist. Endogenous drugs are naturally produced in the body, exogenous mimics do not necessarily activate the receptor, and receptor antagonists bind to the receptor without activating it.

Question 17

If a newly-developed drug is found to bind to dopamine receptors but does not activate them, the drug is classified as a(n)
A) antagonist.
B) endogenous ligand.
C) prototype.
D) agonist.

Accepted Answer

A drug that binds to a receptor but does not activate it is an antagonist. In this case, the drug is binding to dopamine receptors but not activating them, meaning it is blocking dopamine from binding to and activating those receptors.

Question 18

Higher doses of a drug tend to increase the proportion of receptors that are bound and affected by the drug, thereby increasing the response. This relationship is called the
A) intrinsic activity.
B) effective dose.
C) dose-response curve.
D) binding affinity.

Accepted Answer

The dose-response curve is a graphical representation of the relationship between the dose of a drug and the response it elicits. As the dose increases, the response also increases, resulting in a sigmoidal-shaped curve. This relationship is used to determine the effective dose and can also provide information about the drug's potency and safety. The other choices, intrinsic activity, binding affinity, and effective dose, may be related to the dose-response curve but do not accurately describe this relationship.

Question 19

The affinities of drugs are expressed in units of concentration-the _______ the affinity, the _______ the concentration required.
A) higher; lower
B) higher; higher
C) lower; higher
D) lower; lower

Accepted Answer

The higher the affinity of a drug, the lower the concentration required to achieve its effect. This is because high affinity means that the drug binds tightly to its target, allowing even small concentrations to have a significant effect. Therefore, option A is the correct choice.

Question 20

A patient in the hospital requires anti-nausea medication. Which procedure would provide the most rapid route of administration?
A) Pill
B) IV drip
C) Subcutaneous shot
D) Oral syrup

Accepted Answer

IV drip provides the most rapid route of administration as the medication is delivered directly into the bloodstream, bypassing the digestive system and liver. This allows for rapid onset of action and avoids potential delays in absorption or breakdown of the medication.

Quiz 4: The Chemistry of Behavior: Neurotransmitters and Neuropharmacology

When an action potential arrives at the axon terminal, _______ in the presynaptic terminal membrane.

The neurologist Otto Loewi's pivotal discovery was that neurotransmitters communicate via _______ signaling.

The _______ receptor uses a system of second messengers to cause changes in excitability.

When activated extracellularly, G protein-coupled receptors (GPCrs) initiate

Muscarinic receptors are

Which chemical is not a monoamine neurotransmitter?

Two _ opioids are_-enkephalin and leu-enkephalin.

Two types of acetylcholine receptors are called _ and _.

GABA receptors are

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

The neurotransmitter _______ is found in nuclei of the basal forebrain.

Damage to the _______ would affect projections using the neurotransmitter serotonin.

Damage to which site would affect projections using the neurotransmitter norepinephrine?

Noradrenergic axons project into the

Drugs that mimic GABA_A receptors might be effective in treating

A drug or toxin that resembles the endogenous ligand and that can bind to the receptor and activate it is called as a(n)

If a newly-developed drug is found to bind to dopamine receptors but does not activate them, the drug is classified as a(n)

Higher doses of a drug tend to increase the proportion of receptors that are bound and affected by the drug, thereby increasing the response. This relationship is called the

The affinities of drugs are expressed in units of concentration-the _ the affinity, the _ the concentration required.

A patient in the hospital requires anti-nausea medication. Which procedure would provide the most rapid route of administration?