Question 1

Which neurotransmitter is primarily responsible for the major excitatory postsynaptic potentials (EPSPs) in the cerebral cortex, and what percentage of synapses does it affect?

Accepted Answer

Glutamate; 80%

Question 2

What is the main function of the NMDA receptor in synaptic transmission, and which ions does it allow to enter the neuron when activated?

Accepted Answer

It produces EPSPs and allows Na$$^+$$ and Ca$$^{2+} to $$enter.

Question 3

Which process describes the strengthening of synaptic transmission following repeated stimulation, and which brain region is most associated with this phenomenon?

Accepted Answer

Long-term potentiation (LTP); hippocampus

Question 4

Which neurotransmitter is most commonly inhibitory in the brain, and what is its primary effect on postsynaptic neurons?

Accepted Answer

GABA; hyperpolarization

Question 5

Benzodiazepines such as Valium and Xanax act on which receptor, and what is their effect when combined with GABA?

Accepted Answer

GABA$$_A$$ receptor; increase Cl$$^-$$ channel permeability and potentiate hyperpolarization

Question 6

Which neurotransmitter is used by sympathetic neurons in the peripheral nervous system to orchestrate the fight-or-flight response?

Accepted Answer

Norepinephrine

Question 7

What is the role of astrocytes in glutamate neurotransmission?

Accepted Answer

They take up glutamate from the synaptic cleft to increase glucose uptake and blood flow.

Question 8

Which brain region is primarily involved in episodic memory formation and temporary storage?

Accepted Answer

Hippocampus

Question 9

Damage to which area of the brain results in 'word salad' and loss of language comprehension, but not speech production?

Accepted Answer

Wernicke's area

Question 10

Which lobe of the cerebrum is responsible for vision and coordination of eye movements?

Accepted Answer

Occipital lobe

Question 11

Which structure connects Broca's and Wernicke's areas, and what disorder results from its damage?

Accepted Answer

Arcuate fasciculus; conduction aphasia

Question 12

Which type of receptor is GABA$$_B$$, and what is its mechanism of action?

Accepted Answer

Metabotropic; G protein-coupled receptor

Question 13

Which neurotransmitter system is most involved in emotional reward and is highly concentrated in the midbrain?

Accepted Answer

Mesolimbic dopamine system

Question 14

Which part of the brain is responsible for fine control of movement and is mapped by the precentral gyrus?

Accepted Answer

Primary motor cortex

Question 15

Which neurotransmitter uses a second messenger system involving cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP) for signal transduction?

Accepted Answer

Catecholamines

Question 16

Which lobe of the cerebrum is primarily responsible for encoding memory and integrating sensory information with visceral responses?

Accepted Answer

Insula lobe

Question 17

Which area of the brain integrates multi-sensory information to help comprehend language, and what is a consequence of damage to this area?

Accepted Answer

Angular gyrus; aphasia involving reading and writing

Question 18

Which ions are blocked by Mg$$^{2+} at $$resting potential in the NMDA receptor, and what must occur for the channel to open?

Accepted Answer

Na$$^+$$ and Ca$$^{2+}$$; membrane must be depolarized at high frequency

Question 19

Which neurotransmitter is used by neurons in the CNS regions associated with arousal and is also involved in the peripheral fight-or-flight response?

Accepted Answer

Norepinephrine

Question 20

Which of the following best describes the difference between gray matter and white matter in the central nervous system?

Accepted Answer

Gray matter contains cell bodies and dendrites; white matter contains myelinated axons.

Neurotransmitters and Structural Organization of the Brain: Cell Biology Study Notes

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