Question 1

GABA functions as ________.

Accepted Answer

GABA (gamma-aminobutyric acid) is an inhibitory neurotransmitter in the brain. It helps to reduce neuronal excitability and counteracts the effects of excitatory neurotransmitters like glutamate. Dysfunction in the GABA system has been associated with various neurological and psychiatric disorders such as anxiety, epilepsy, and schizophrenia.

Question 2

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

Accepted Answer

Serotonin is a neurotransmitter that plays a role in regulating sleep, mood, and appetite. Low levels of serotonin have been associated with depression, anxiety, and sleep disorders. Some antidepressant medications work by increasing serotonin levels in the brain.

Question 3

Isabella 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

The process of Isabella sucking up mustard back into the squeeze bottle is similar to the process of reuptake, where neurotransmitters are taken back into the presynaptic neuron to be reused.

Question 4

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 gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA), which is an inhibitory neurotransmitter in the brain. This leads to the general inhibition of the nervous system, causing the effects associated with being drunk. Serotonin and dopamine are involved in mood regulation and reward processing, respectively, but are not directly related to the effects of alcohol. Acetylcholine is involved in muscle control and memory, but again, not directly related to the effects of alcohol.

Question 5

Agonist is to antagonist as:

Accepted Answer

Agonists mimic the effect of neurotransmitters while antagonists block their effects. This relationship can be compared to the relationship between a mimic and a blocker. A neuromodulator is not a direct opposite of a neurotransmitter, nor is reuptake a direct opposite of a receptor.

Question 6

Endorphins are ________.

Accepted Answer

Endorphins are chemicals in the brain that are responsible for reducing pain and providing a sense of pleasure or euphoria. They help to block the transmission of pain signals and can be released during exercise, stress, and other activities. While they are similar in function to enkaphalins, they are not necessarily less powerful. Endorphins are a type of neurotransmitter, so they are not radically different in function from other chemicals that transmit signals in the brain.

Question 7

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

Accepted Answer

Serotonin plays a significant role in regulating mood and appetite. Imbalances in serotonin levels are associated with depression and anxiety disorders, leading to mood disturbances and changes in appetite. GABA is involved in reducing anxiety levels and inducing relaxation, dopamine is associated with reward and motivation, while acetylcholine is involved in memory and muscle contraction.

Question 8

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

Accepted Answer

Receptor sites on the postsynaptic membrane act like locked doors that can only be opened by specific neurotransmitter keys. When the neurotransmitter binds to the receptor site, it can either excite or inhibit the postsynaptic neuron, depending on the type of neurotransmitter and the characteristics of the receptor. Synapses (A) are the gaps between neurons where neurotransmitters are released and received. Neural chiasms (C) are where nerve fibers cross over each other, and response terminals (D) are not a recognized term in neuroscience.

Question 9

________ 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 specialized proteins on the surface of dendrites, muscles, and glands that are shaped to fit with only certain neurotransmitters. This allows for specific and targeted communication between neurons and between neurons and other cells in the body. A neurotransmitter will bind to its specific receptor site like a lock and key, initiating a chemical signal that can result in an excitatory or inhibitory response in the receiving neuron or cell.

Question 10

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

Accepted Answer

Acetylcholine is a neurotransmitter that is responsible for transmitting nerve impulses to the muscles, which causes the muscles to contract. It is critical to the functioning of the neuromuscular system, and any disruption in the production or release of acetylcholine can lead to various muscle-related disorders. GABA, dopamine, and endorphins are also important neurotransmitters in the body, but they do not play a primary role in muscle contraction.

Question 11

Curare, a poison, works by ________.

Accepted Answer

Curare is a poison that works by blocking receptor sites and acting as an antagonist for acetylcholine, which is a neurotransmitter that is responsible for muscle contraction. When the receptor sites are blocked, the acetylcholine cannot bind to them and signal for the muscles to contract, leading to paralysis.

Question 12

Sara 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 plays a crucial role in the formation of new memories and in learning in general. A deficit in acetylcholine has been linked to memory impairments, particularly in age-related memory decline and Alzheimer's disease. Therefore, the most likely neurotransmitter involved in Sara's memory problem is acetylcholine.

Question 13

The two main divisions of the nervous system are the ________ and ________.

Accepted Answer

The peripheral nervous system includes all nerves and ganglia outside the brain and spinal cord, while the central nervous system includes the brain and spinal cord. The other choices are incorrect because they either do not accurately represent the divisions of the nervous system or are more specific structures within those divisions.

Question 14

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 primarily removed from synapses through enzymatic degradation by the enzyme acetylcholinesterase, whereas other neurotransmitters like dopamine, GABA, and norepinephrine are typically removed through reuptake mechanisms.

Question 15

Pain-controlling chemicals in the body are called ________.

Accepted Answer

Endorphins are pain-controlling chemicals naturally produced by the body. They bind to the same receptors as opioid drugs like morphine, providing pain relief and producing feelings of pleasure or euphoria.

Question 16

How is acetylcholine removed from the synapse?

Accepted Answer

Acetylcholine is removed from the synapse through the action of the enzyme acetylcholinesterase, which breaks down the neurotransmitter into choline and acetate, which are then recycled by the presynaptic neuron to produce new acetylcholine molecules. Answer B is incorrect because this process is known as reuptake, which is the removal of neurotransmitters from the synapse by the presynaptic neuron, but this is not how acetylcholine is removed. Answer C is incorrect because acetylcholine is not capable of simply dissipating into the surrounding body fluids due to its interaction with receptors and enzymes. Answer D is incorrect because while acetylcholine is always present in certain parts of the brain, it is not continually present in the synapse as it is rapidly broken down after release.

Question 17

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

Accepted Answer

Black widow spider venom contains a neurotoxin that causes a massive release of acetylcholine, which stimulates the muscles uncontrollably and leads to convulsions.

Question 18

Reuptake is ________.

Accepted Answer

Reuptake is the process by which neurotransmitters are taken back into the synaptic vesicles. This helps to regulate the level of neurotransmitters in the synaptic gap and allows for the precise control of neural signaling. Option A refers to a neurotransmitter, not reuptake. Option B refers to a receptor, not reuptake. Option D is not directly related to the process of reuptake.

Question 19

________ 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 increase the likelihood of a neuron firing an action potential, while inhibitory synapses decrease the likelihood of a neuron firing an action potential.

Question 20

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

Accepted Answer

Morphine and heroin are both opioids and bind to the same receptors as endorphins, which are naturally occurring pain-relieving chemicals in the body.

Quiz 2: The Biological Perspective