Question 1

John reports to his doctor that he has been experiencing changes in his appetite.This suggests that John is experiencing fluctuations in which neurotransmitter?

Accepted Answer

Serotonin is the neurotransmitter that regulates appetite and can cause fluctuations in it. Therefore, John's changes in appetite suggest fluctuations in serotonin levels.

Question 2

How does the brain control human behavior?

Accepted Answer

The brain controls human behavior through intricate and overlapping patterns of activity that involve networks of many different connected structures. These networks may involve multiple brain regions and are responsible for controlling both simple and complex behaviors. While specific brain regions may play a role in controlling certain behaviors, the overall process is highly complex and involves multiple areas of the brain working together.

Question 3

The depolarizing or hyperpolarizing current that results from neurotransmitter activity at the synapses of the receiving neuron drifts to the junction of the ____.

Accepted Answer

The depolarizing or hyperpolarizing current drifts to the axon hillock, which is located at the junction of the cell body and axon.

Question 4

Which of the following is the strongest analogy to explain the relationship between receptors and neurotransmitters?

Accepted Answer

The analogy of "lock and key" best describes the relationship between receptors and neurotransmitters. Just like a lock and key, receptors have specific shapes that allow them to only interact with specific neurotransmitters, which then "unlock" certain functions in the brain and body.

Question 5

Among the many drugs that act on Ach is the ________ found in _____________.

Accepted Answer

Nicotine is a drug that acts on Ach and is found in tobacco. The other three options are incorrect, as they refer to drugs that act on different neurotransmitters (opium and cocaine act on dopamine, THC acts on the endocannabinoid system) or are derived from different plants (poppy seeds are used to produce opium and its derivatives like morphine, while cannabis refers to the plant that produces marijuana and THC).

Question 6

Rodney,who has ____,takes medication to help offset the depletion of ____ in his brain.

Accepted Answer

Parkinson's disease is caused by the depletion of dopamine in the brain, and medication can help to increase levels of dopamine.

Question 7

The nervous system is divided into two major components: the ____ and the ____.

Accepted Answer

The nervous system is divided into two major components: the central nervous system (which consists of the brain and spinal cord) and the peripheral nervous system (which includes all the nerves outside of the brain and spinal cord, such as those that control the muscles and organs). The autonomic nervous system and somatic nervous system are subdivisions of the peripheral nervous system.

Question 8

Officers of the federal Drug Enforcement Administration recently broke up a ring of drug traffickers involved in dealing oxycodone,a prescription pain killer that mimics the action of ____ at the synapse.

Accepted Answer

Endorphins are the body's natural painkillers, and oxycodone works by mimicking their action at the synapse. Acetylcholine, serotonin, and dopamine are all neurotransmitters that have different functions in the nervous system and are not directly involved in the action of oxycodone.

Question 9

____ is a neurotransmitter that participates in movement,planning,and reward.

Accepted Answer

Dopamine is a neurotransmitter that plays a role in movement, planning, and reward. It is involved in the regulation of mood, motivation, and attention, and dysfunction of the dopamine system has been implicated in several psychiatric and neurological disorders, including Parkinson's disease and schizophrenia.

Question 10

Dr.Pohler is a neurobiologist studying ways to enhance the perception of sound in people with hearing difficulties.He discovers a natural neurotransmitter that increases the chance a neuron will fire an action potential,increasing sensitivity to sound.What is the effect of this neurotransmitter on the receiving neuron?

Accepted Answer

The neurotransmitter described in the scenario increases the chance that a neuron will fire an action potential, which is an excitatory effect. This suggests that the neurotransmitter causes depolarization, as this is necessary for an action potential to occur. Therefore, the best choice is D) Excitatory, causing depolarization.

Question 11

Elsie,an 85-year-old woman,has been diagnosed with early-stage Alzheimer's disease.Her doctor has prescribed the medication that will help prevent deterioration of brain circuits and slow the progression of her illness.Which neurotransmitter does this medication directly impact?

Accepted Answer

The medication prescribed to Elsie to prevent deterioration of brain circuits and slow the progression of Alzheimer's disease likely impacts the neurotransmitter acetylcholine. Acetylcholine plays a critical role in learning, memory, and attention, and its depletion is associated with Alzheimer's disease. Therefore, drugs that enhance acetylcholine signaling can improve cognitive function and slow the progression of the disease.

Question 12

Joan,a neuroscience graduate student,is asked by her laboratory mentor to study the communication of two neurons grown in a petri dish.She is asked to stimulate an action potential in the first neuron,which will send a depolarizing stimulus to the second,"receiving" neuron.However,her mentor would also like her to block the receiving neuron from generating an action potential.How can Joan accomplish this?

Accepted Answer

Blocking the process of summation in the receiving neuron would prevent it from generating an action potential. Summation is the process by which a neuron integrates the incoming signals to determine whether to generate an action potential or not. By blocking summation, Joan can prevent the second neuron from generating an action potential even if the first neuron sends a depolarizing stimulus.

Question 13

____ is a neurotransmitter that participates in the processing of mood,appetite,and sleep.

Accepted Answer

Serotonin is a neurotransmitter that is involved in regulating mood, appetite, and sleep. It is also involved in other bodily functions such as platelet aggregation, blood clotting, and gastrointestinal motility. The levels of serotonin in the brain can affect a person's emotional state and behavior, and certain medications that affect serotonin levels can be used to treat mood disorders such as depression and anxiety.

Question 14

Endorphin,short for "endogenous morphine," is a neurotransmitter involved in ____.

Accepted Answer

Endorphin is involved in the perception of pain by binding to opiate receptors in the brain and spinal cord, helping to decrease the perception of pain. It is not involved in schizophrenia, Parkinson's disease, or muscle paralysis.

Question 15

How do drugs classified as "SSRIs," such as Prozac,alter neuronal communication?

Accepted Answer

SSRIs (Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors) increase the effectiveness of the neurotransmitter serotonin by blocking its reuptake into the axon terminal. This means that more serotonin remains in the synaptic cleft, leading to increased neurotransmission and improved mood regulation.

Question 16

____ is a neurotransmitter that is found at the neuromuscular junction,in the autonomic nervous system,and in the central nervous system.

Accepted Answer

Acetylcholine is found at the neuromuscular junction, in the autonomic nervous system, and in the central nervous system. Dopamine is primarily found in the central nervous system, serotonin is primarily found in the central nervous system and some in the gastrointestinal tract, and glutamate is primarily found in the central nervous system.

Question 17

Molly,a second-year neuroscience graduate student,treats neurons grown in a petri dish with drugs that "block" the function of neuronal receptors.What is a consequence of the drug treatment?

Accepted Answer

Blocking neuronal receptors with drugs will result in hyperpolarization of neurons, making it more difficult for those neurons to fire an action potential and reducing the likelihood of neuronal communication.

Question 18

____ is a neurotransmitter that contributes to arousal and vigilance.

Accepted Answer

Norepinephrine is a neurotransmitter that is involved in the body's "fight or flight" response, and contributes to arousal and vigilance. It is produced in the locus coeruleus in the brainstem and is released throughout the brain.

Question 19

A well-known local herbalist sells the neurotransmitter gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA)as "the body's natural tranquilizer," stating that it helps to calm the central nervous system and prevent anxiety and stress-related messages from reaching the motor centers of the brain.This portrayal reflects GABA's ____.

Accepted Answer

GABA is an inhibitory neurotransmitter, meaning that it decreases the activity of neurons in the brain. It is known to have a calming effect on the central nervous system and is often called the brain's natural tranquilizer. Therefore, the portrayal of GABA as preventing anxiety and stress-related messages from reaching the motor centers of the brain is reflective of its inhibitory properties. The other options (B, C, and D) are not accurate descriptions of GABA's effects on brain activity.

Question 20

Donny's heart suddenly races as he turns the corner while walking through the office at work and sees his boss Pat unexpectedly.Which neurotransmitter is playing a role in this response?

Accepted Answer

Epinephrine, also known as adrenaline, is released in response to stress or anxiety and can cause an increase in heart rate and other physiological responses commonly associated with the fight or flight response. Seeing an unexpected boss could elicit this response in Donny. GABA and serotonin are not typically associated with this type of response, while dopamine is often associated with reward and reinforcement.

Quiz 4: The Biological Mind the Physical Basis of Behavior