Help with Neurotransmitter and Receptor Physiology

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Anatomy › Help with Neurotransmitter and Receptor Physiology

Questions 1 - 10
1

Which of the following is a type of acetylcholine receptor?

Muscarinic

Adrenergic

Dopaminergic

Glutaminergic

Explanation

Muscarinic acetylcholine receptors (mAChRs) are found in the G protein-receptor complexes in the cell membrane of certain neurons. The suffix -ergic means exhibiting or stimulating the activity of. For example, dopaminergic receptors bind to dopamine.

2

Which neurotransmitter is released by adrenergic neurons?

Norepinephrine

Acetylcholine

Nitric oxide

Substance P

Explanation

Norepinephrine is released by adrenergic neurons.

Cholinergic neurons release acetylcholine as their neurotransmitter (in the sympathetic or parasympathetic nervous system).

Nonadrenergic, noncholinergic neurons (which include postganglionic parasympathetic neurons of the gastrointestinal tract) release substance P and nitric oxide.

3

Which of the following neurotransmitters is found at the neuromuscular junction?

Acetylcholine

Norepinephrine

Epinephrine

Glutamate

GABA

Explanation

Acetylcholine is the neurotransmitter found at the neuromuscular junction and many other synapses found in the nervous system. It binds to receptors on the postsynaptic membrane to induce muscular contraction.

4

What is the most common inhibitory neurotransmitter found in the brain?

Gamma-amino butyric acid (GABA)

Glutamate

Dopamine

Serotonin

None of these

Explanation

GABA is the most common inhibitory neurotransmitter in the brain. Glutamate is the most common excitatory neurotransmitter in the brain. Dopamine is a monoamine which can sometimes be inhibitory, but is not the most common.

5

Which of the following neurotransmitters plays a role in excitotoxicity during a cerebrovascular accident (CVA)?

Glutamate

GABA

Dopamine

Epinephrine

Acetylcholine

Explanation

Glutamic acid is an excitatory neurotransmitter. During a cerebrovascular accident, cells that have died due to oxygen deprivation release large quantities of glutamic acid. This causes surrounding cells to become overexcited and eventually die. This process is called excitotoxicity.

6

Which of the following activates muscarinic receptors in parasympathetic nervous tissue?

Acetylcholine

Glycine

Norepinephrine

Glutamate

Serotonin

Explanation

Acetylcholine activates muscarinic receptors in postganglioinic parasympathetic nervous tissue and nicotinic receptors in skeletal muscle fibers, and preganglionic sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous tissue.

7

What is the name of the sensory receptors that are associated with pain?

Nociceptors

Mechanoreceptors

Photoreceptors

Thermoreceptors

Chemoreceptors

Explanation

Nociceptors are pain receptors that. Mechanoreceptors respond when tissue is deformed by mechanical forces. Photoreceptors respond to light. Chemoreceptors respond to chemicals. Thermoreceptors respond to changes in temperature.

8

Neurotransmitters are used for communication between neurons. The neurotransmitters travel from the pre-synaptic membrane to the post-synaptic membrane packaged in __________, traveling through the __________.

vesicles . . . synaptic cleft

vesicles . . . axons

axons . . . synaptic cleft

dendrites . . . neurotransmitter membrane

Explanation

Neurotransmitters are packaged in vesicles, traveling through the synaptic cleft (space between neurons) from the pre-synaptic membrane to the post-synaptic membrane, where they bind to their receptors and influence the post-synaptic membrane potential.

9

The neurons in the substantia nigra within the brainstem predominately produce which neurotransmitter?

Dopamine

GABA

Norepinephrine

Serotonin

Acetylcholine

Explanation

The substantia nigra is composed of primarily dopamine. When the substantia nigra is effected by a disease, a patient can present with Parkinson-like symptoms. Most common symptom is resting tremors.

10

Tactile receptors belong to the class of mechanical receptors and respond to deformation of the skin.

This tactile receptor is located in the dermal papillae of hairless skin. They are found in the lips, fingertips, palms, soles, and external genitalia. These receptors play a large role in the human's ability to perform fine tactile movements with the fingertips.

Meissner's corpuscles

None of these

Merkel cells

Pacinian corpuscles

Carcinoma

Explanation

Pacinian corpuscles are found in deeper in the dermis rather than in the dermal papillae. Merkel cells are found in the epidermal-dermal border and are responsible for perception of light and touch. Carcinoma is a type of tumor. Meissner's corpuscles are the mechanoreceptors that are found in the dermal papillae, and are very sensitive to light touches.

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