Neurotransmitters and Receptors Quiz

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This quiz will cover topics on neurotransmitters and receptors.

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Question 1

As the action potential travels along the axon and reaches the axon terminal, what triggers the release of a neurotransmitter from the synaptic vesicle to the synaptic cleft?

	Influx of Ca++ from outside the cell
	opening of voltage-gated calcium channels Hint: All right, but, what comes in that actually triggers the neurotransmitter release?
	fusing of synaptic vesicles with the synaptic membrane Hint: No but, you’re getting close. What happens before this fuses with the membrane and releases the neurotransmitter?
	increase of sodium ion concentration in the cell Hint: No. Try a different ion.

Question 1 Explanation:

When voltage-gated calcium channels open, calcium ions that are concentrated outside are going to rush into the cell. This in turn causes these synaptic vesicles to fuse with the pre-synaptic membrane and cause the neurotransmitter to be released into the synaptic cleft. You can view more of this in detail in the following video.

Question 2

Which of the following is true after a neurotransmitter binds to a metabotropic receptor of a neuron?

	A G-protein is activated inside the cell.
	Sodium ions rush into the cell. Hint: Not really. This happens in an ionotropic receptor.
	Ion channels open and allows ions to rush in. Hint: This doesn’t happen in a metabotropic receptor. Try again, I know you’ll get it this time.
	The membrane potential may be in an excited or inhibitory state depending on the charge of ions that rushes into the cell Hint: Oh, you got it all wrong but, I know you’ll get it this time.

Question 2 Explanation:

Wow, you’re good! Instead of opening an ion channel, the binding of the neurotransmitter activates the G protein inside the cell then, goes on to activate a series of other processes causing a certain response inside the cell. You can watch more about these receptors in this video.

Question 3

Communication between neurons and communication between neurons and another cell, organ, or gland occurs in the _______.

	synapse
	post-synaptic membrane Hint: This is actually the membrane that comes right after that space where communication between neurons and communication between neurons and another cell, organ, or gland occurs.
	synaptic vesicles Hint: These vesicles are inside the neuron and contains the neurotransmitters.
	pre-synaptic membrane Hint: This is actually the membrane that comes right before that space where communication between neurons and communication between neurons and another cell, organ, or gland occurs.

Question 3 Explanation:

Synapse is a specialized junction between neurons and communication between neurons and another cell, organ, or gland. You can read more about this in this video.

Question 4

What type of molecule opposes the effect of a neurotransmitter?

	antagonist
	agonist Hint: This is actually the opposite in that it mimics (instead of blocks) the effect of a neurotransmitter. Give it another try, I know you know this.
	protagonist Hint: Hehehe unless there’s a movie going on inside your body, you’ll have one of this. Come on, I know you can do better.
	antigonist Hint: Almost sounds alike... Try another term and you’ll get it.

Question 4 Explanation:

An example of antagonists would be curare which stops or blocks an Ach from binding into the receptors and thus inhibitnig the cell from being excited. You can review more on this in this video.

Question 5

What type of summation achieves an action potential in a neuron resulting from an input from multiple other neurons?

	spatial summation
	multiple summation Hint: Sounds correct, right? But, there’s an appropriate term for this type of summation.
	terminal summation Hint: Not exactly. As I said in my video, think of signals separated by “space.”
	temporal summation: Hint: If you know the other type of summation, then, you’re good.

Question 5 Explanation:

In spatial summation, two or more separate neurons can cause responses in a cell resulting in an increase in the membrane potential. When the next neuron fires, it goes up again, and so on until it eventually reaches the threshold, causing an action potential. This is discussed more and can be reviewed in this video.

Question 6

What happens if a neurotransmitter from a facilitatory neuron binds to the receptor in another neuron?

	Results in a greater signal generated in the post-synaptic cell.
	An ion channel opens and allows sodium ions to rush in. Hint: No, try again. What effect does it have on the amount of signal generated?
	Cause lesser number of synaptic vesicles to fuse with the pre-synaptic membrane Hint: No, in fact, what happens is quite the opposite.
	Cause a lesser signal generated in the post-synaptic cell. Hint: Definitely not. Try something opposite.

Question 6 Explanation:

Facilitatory neurons release neurotransmitters that binds to a metabotropic receptor in another neuron. This activates the G-protein then, causing a series of events that shuts down the voltage-gated potassium channels. Potassium cannot leave and thus repolarization takes longer to happen and this results for a signal to last longer and eventually result in a greater signal in the post-synaptic cell. More of this can be seen here.

Question 7

Which of the following type of ionotropic receptor is specific to acetylcholine (Ach)?

	Nicotinic receptor.
	GABA receptor Hint: Yes, this is ionotropic but, is NOT specific to Ach. Try again. I know you’ll get it this time.
	Glycine receptor Hint: Yes, this may be ionotropic but, is NOT specific to Ach. Pick another guess.
	Muscarinic receptors Hint: Though they may be specific to Ach, these are not ionotropic but metabotropic receptors.

Question 7 Explanation:

I knew you’d get it! nicotinic receptors works with Ach.. More of this can be seen in this video.

Question 8

At least how many molecules of Ach binds to the ionotropic receptor for the channel to open and cause sodium ions to rush in?

	Two
	One Hint: That’s not enough.
	Five Hint: Try something lower.
	Eight Hint: Try again :)

Question 8 Explanation:

As molecules of acetylcholine binds to the nicotinic receptor, this is going to cause sodium ions to rush in, causing an excitatory post-synaptic potential. Watch about receptors in this video to learn more about them.

Question 9

What happens to a cell if more chloride ions rushes into it?

	IPSP (inhibitory post-synaptic potential) is achieved.
	The cell becomes excited and gets an EPSP (excitatory post-synaptic potential). Hint: Instead of this, it gets the opposite. What is it?
	This increases the chance that a future action potential will occur in a post-synaptic neuron. Hint: What happens is quite the opposite though. Try again.
	The cell becomes more positive. Hint: Definitely not. Chloride ions are negatively charged so it will make the cell more negative than positive. Come one, make a good guess :)

Question 9 Explanation:

Perfect! Since chloride ions are negatively charged ions, it’s going to cause an inhibitory post-synaptic potential, or an IPSP thereby reducing the chance for a future action potential to occur in a post-synaptic neuron. You can review more on this topic in this video.

Question 10

These drugs affect the same kind of neurotransmitter.

	caffeine and cocaine
	Caffeine and nicotine Hint: Nope. Caffeine affects dopamine and nicotine affects acetylcholine.
	LSD and nicotine Hint: Try a little harder. LSD affects serotonin and nicotine affects acetylcholine.
	nicotine and LSD Hint: You’ll get it, try another one. Nicotine affects acetylcholine and LSD affects serotonin.

Question 10 Explanation:

That’s right! Caffeine and cocaine, though different drugs, affects the same type of neurotransmitter, the dopamine. You can learn more about addiction in this video.

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Neurotransmitters and Receptors Quiz

Neurotransmitters and Receptors Quiz

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