Membrane Potential/AP

Question 1

What is the width of the synaptic cleft?

Answer 1

20-40 nm[1]

Question 2

What is the function of choline acetyltransferase?

Answer 2

It catalyzes the synthesis of acetylcholine from acetyl-CoA and choline[1]

Question 3

How many proteins are estimated to be on a single synaptic vesicle?

Answer 3

More than 80 proteins[1]

Question 4

What is the role of the proton pump in synaptic vesicles?

Answer 4

It generates an electrochemical gradient for neurotransmitter uptake[1]

Question 5

What is the function of Munc18-1 in synaptic transmission?

Answer 5

It helps assemble the SNARE complex[1]

Question 6

What are the two types of SNARE proteins?

Answer 6

V-SNARE (vesicle-associated SNARE) and T-SNARES (targeted-associated SNARES)[1]

Question 7

What is the primary excitatory neurotransmitter in the CNS?

Answer 7

Glutamate[1]

Question 8

What is the primary inhibitory neurotransmitter in the brain?

Answer 8

GABA (gamma-aminobutyric acid)[1]

Question 9

What is the primary inhibitory neurotransmitter in the spinal cord?

Answer 9

Glycine[1]

Question 10

What are the four major dopamine tracts in the CNS?

Answer 10

1. Mesolimbic-Mesocortical, 2. Nigrostriatal, 3. Tubero-infundibular, 4. Medullary-periventricular[1]

Question 11

What is the function of dopamine β-hydroxylase?

Answer 11

It converts dopamine to norepinephrine[1]

Question 12

Where is dopamine β-hydroxylase located?

Answer 12

It is bound to the inner surface of synaptic vesicles[1]

Question 13

What is the precursor for serotonin synthesis?

Answer 13

Tryptophan[1]

Question 14

How do neuropeptides differ from small molecule neurotransmitters in terms of synthesis and storage?

Answer 14

Neuropeptides are synthesized from mRNA in the cell body and stored in large dense core vesicles, while small molecule neurotransmitters are synthesized locally and stored in small synaptic vesicles[1]

Question 15

What are the two main classes of neurotransmitter receptors?

Answer 15

Fast ionotropic receptors and slow metabotropic receptors[1]

Question 16

What is the typical concentration of glutamate in a synaptic vesicle?

Answer 16

Approximately 100 mM[1]

Question 17

How do anionic and cationic neurotransmitters differ in their vesicular uptake mechanism?

Answer 17

Anionic transmitters use vesicular membrane potential, while cationic transmitters are exchanged for protons[1]

Question 18

What is the role of complexin in synaptic vesicle fusion?

Answer 18

It helps synaptotagmin clamp the SNARE complex to prevent spontaneous fusion[1]

Question 19

What are the symptoms of organophosphate poisoning related to muscarinic receptor overstimulation?

Answer 19

Salivation

Question 20

How is glutamate recycled in the brain?

Answer 20

It’s taken up by neurons and glia, converted to glutamine in astrocytes, then transferred back to neurons and reconverted to glutamate[1]

Question 21

What is the function of glycine in the nervous system?

Answer 21

It’s an inhibitory neurotransmitter in the spinal cord and a co-agonist with glutamate for NMDA receptors[1]

Question 22

How is epinephrine synthesized from norepinephrine?

Answer 22

By methylation using S-adenosyl methionine (SAM) as the methyl donor[1]

Question 23

What are Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors (SSRIs) and how do they work?

Answer 23

SSRIs are antidepressants that block the reuptake of serotonin from the synapse

Question 24

What is the difference between ionotropic and metabotropic receptors in terms of speed?

Answer 24

Ionotropic receptors are fast-acting, while metabotropic receptors are slower-acting[1]

Question 25

Name five types of ionotropic receptors

Answer 25

Acetylcholine, glutamate (NMDA, AMPA, & Kainate), GABA, glycine, and serotonin receptors[1]

Question 26

What are the three groups of metabotropic glutamate receptors?

Answer 26

Group I (mGlu1

Question 27

How do Group I metabotropic glutamate receptors affect NMDA receptor function?

Answer 27

They potentiate NMDAR-induced Ca2+ influx[1]

Question 28

How do Group II and III metabotropic glutamate receptors affect NMDA receptor function?

Answer 28

They reduce NMDAR-induced Ca2+ influx[1]

Question 29

What is the role of S-adenosyl methionine (SAM) in epinephrine synthesis?

Answer 29

SAM serves as the methyl donor for the methylation of norepinephrine to form epinephrine[1]

Question 30

What is the function of tryptophan hydroxylase in serotonin synthesis?

Answer 30

It hydroxylates tryptophan to form 5-HTP (5-hydroxytryptophan)[1]

Question 31

How many subtypes of muscarinic acetylcholine receptors are there?

Answer 31

There are five subtypes (m1 - m5)[1]

Question 32

What are the main types of adrenergic receptors?

Answer 32

Alpha (α1, α2) and beta (β1, β2, β3)[1]

Question 33

What is the function of GABA in the CNS?

Answer 33

GABA is the primary inhibitory neurotransmitter in the CNS[1]

Question 34

How does ziconotide function and what is its clinical use?

Answer 34

Ziconotide is a selective blocker of N-type calcium channels used to treat chronic pain[1]

Question 35

What is Lambert-Eaton myasthenic syndrome and what causes it?

Answer 35

It's an autoimmune disorder targeting P/Q channels in motor nerve terminals

Question 36

What types of calcium channels regulate synaptic release in most CNS neurons?

Answer 36

P/Q (CaV2.1) or N (CaV2.2) calcium channels[1]

Question 37

What is the role of synaptotagmin in synaptic transmission?

Answer 37

Synaptotagmin acts as a calcium sensor and fusion clamp in synaptic vesicle exocytosis[1]

Question 38

How do neuropeptides differ from small molecule neurotransmitters in terms of potency and duration?

Answer 38

Neuropeptides generally have higher potency and longer-lasting effects than small molecule neurotransmitters[1]

Question 39

What is the function of glutamic acid decarboxylase in neurotransmitter synthesis?

Answer 39

It catalyzes the synthesis of GABA from glutamate[1]

Question 40

What are the main catecholamine neurotransmitters?

Answer 40

Dopamine

Question 41

Where are norepinephrine-producing neurons primarily located in the CNS?

Answer 41

In the locus coeruleus[1]

Question 42

What is the role of the tubero-infundibular dopamine tract?

Answer 42

It's involved in regulating hormone secretion

Question 43

What is the function of the medullary-periventricular dopamine tract?

Answer 43

It's involved in the regulation of eating and may be related to obesity and diabetes[1]

Question 44

How do Group I metabotropic glutamate receptors affect intracellular signaling?

Answer 44

They activate phospholipase C (PLC), leading to increased inositol triphosphate (IP3) and calcium signaling[1]

Question 45

What is the typical delay for synaptic transmission?

Answer 45

Approximately 1 millisecond[1]

Question 46

What is a miniature post-synaptic current (mPSC)?

Answer 46

A small postsynaptic signal produced by the release of a single synaptic vesicle[1]

Question 47

What is a quantum in neurotransmitter release?

Answer 47

It represents the release of the contents of one synaptic vesicle[1]

Question 48

How do vesicles concentrate neurotransmitters?

Answer 48

Through active transport using a proton pump and vesicular neurotransmitter transporter[1]

Question 49

What is the role of SNARE proteins in synaptic transmission?

Answer 49

SNARE proteins mediate fusion of synaptic vesicles with the presynaptic membrane[1]

Question 50

What are the two ways neurotransmitter effects are terminated?

Answer 50

1. Removal from synaptic cleft by reuptake or glial cell transporters, 2. Extracellular destruction (e.g., diffusion)[1]