Biochemistry : Hormones and Neurotransmitters

Study concepts, example questions & explanations for Biochemistry

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Example Questions

Example Question #81 : Biochemical Signaling

Which of the following hormones would not bind to a receptor on the surface of a cell?

Possible Answers:

Adrenocorticotropic hormone

Aldosterone

Vasopressin

Prolactin

Insulin

Correct answer:

Aldosterone

Explanation:

Steroid hormones and peptide hormones, due to their structural make up, have different methods of binding to their respective receptors. Steroid hormones are soluble in lipids and can therefore pass directly through the cell membrane to act upon an intracellular receptor. Peptide hormones, on the other hand, can not penetrate the membrane, and must bind to receptors on the surface of the phospholipid bilayer. The only hormone listed that is a steroid and would not bind to a receptor on the cell surface is aldosterone - the rest are peptide hormones.

Example Question #82 : Biochemical Signaling

How do steroid hormone-receptor complexes exert their effects?

I. They enter the nucleus to exert their effect.

II. They bind to DNA responsive elements on the promoter of the genes they up-regulate.

III. They activate G protein-coupled receptors.

IV. They activate transmembrane receptors.

Possible Answers:

I, II, and III

I and IV

I and II

II, III, and IV

II and III

Correct answer:

I and II

Explanation:

Steroid hormones bind to intracellular and not transmembrane receptors.The steroid hormone-receptor complexes then bind to special DNA sequences in genes they regulate.These special DNA sequences are called hormone-responsive elements. Hormone-responsive elements usually reside in the promoter region of genes.

Example Question #11 : Steroid Hormone Pathways

The conversion of 25-hydroxycholecalciferol to the active vitamin D form of 1,25-dihydroxycholecalciferol occurs where?

Possible Answers:

Squamous cells of the skin

Myocytes of the heart

Hepatocytes of the liver

Intestinal goblet cells

Proximal tubule of the kidney

Correct answer:

Proximal tubule of the kidney

Explanation:

The steroid conversion pathway of vitamin D begins in the skin where cholecalciferol is synthesized by UV light. In the liver a hydroxyl group is added making 25-hydroxycholecalciferol. In the proximal tubule of the kidney, another hydroxyl group is added, forming the active form of vitamin D - 1,25-dihydroxycholecalciferol.

Example Question #12 : Steroid Hormone Pathways

Glucocorticoids achieve their effects in cells by ____________.

Possible Answers:

binding to receptor tyrosine kinases on the plasma membrane, which phosphorylate other proteins leading to a cascading signal that changes gene expression

spontaneously passing through the plasma membrane and forming a complex with a steroid receptor, which enters the nucleus and acts as a transcription factor

binding to heterotrimeric G proteins on the plasma membrane, leading to the synthesis of cAMP and a cascading signal that changes gene expression

spontaneously passing through the plasma membrane and binding to albumin, which allows them to enter the nucleus and act as a transcription factor

spontaneously passing through the plasma membrane and binding to transcortin, which allows them to enter the nucleus and act as a transcription factor

Correct answer:

spontaneously passing through the plasma membrane and forming a complex with a steroid receptor, which enters the nucleus and acts as a transcription factor

Explanation:

The correct answer is "spontaneously passing through the plasma membrane and forming a complex with a steroid receptor, which enters the nucleus and acts as a transcription factor." Glucocorticoids are steroid hormones, which are hydrophobic and thus can pass right through lipid membranes without having to interact with receptors in the plasma membrane. Transcortin and albumin are used to transport steroid hormones through the blood, but they do not enter the cell along with the hormone.

Example Question #1 : Synapse Biochemistry

The release of which ion triggers release of neurotransmitters at the axon terminal of a presynaptic cell? 

Possible Answers:

Chloride

Calcium

Potassium

Sodium

Cobalt

Correct answer:

Calcium

Explanation:

The release of calcium ions at the axon terminal is responsible for the exocytosis of vesicles carrying neurotransmitters. 

Example Question #83 : Biochemical Signaling

Acetylcholine transferase is an enzyme involved in the synthesis of acetylcholine. Which of the following molecules are involved in this reaction?

I. Choline

II. Acetyl-CoA

III. Acetic acid

Possible Answers:

I and III

I, II, and III

I and II

II and III

Correct answer:

I and II

Explanation:

When an action potential reaches the synapse, choline enters the neuron. Once inside, the choline molecule binds to acetyl-CoA and forms acetylcholine, which is then packaged into vesicles. Upon calcium influx, the acetylcholine vesicles fuse with the synaptic membrane and release acetylcholine into the synaptic cleft. The acetylcholine molecules can now bind to receptors on the postsynaptic membrane and initiate an action potential in the postsynaptic neuron.

Example Question #2 : Synapse Biochemistry

__________ muscle contains electrical synapses and __________ muscle contains chemical synapses.

Possible Answers:

Cardiac . . . cardiac

Cardiac . . . skeletal

Skeletal . . . skeletal

Skeletal . . . cardiac

Correct answer:

Cardiac . . . skeletal

Explanation:

There are two types of synapses: electrical and chemical. Electrical synapses have gap junctions between adjacent cells and are usually found between cardiac muscle cells. Chemical synapses are more abundant and utilize neurotransmitters (such as acetylcholine) to transmit signals between adjacent cells. They are typically found in neuromuscular junctions of skeletal muscle cells.

Example Question #4 : Synapse Biochemistry

Myasthenia gravis is an autoimmune disease that decreases muscle contraction. Circulating antibodies bind to acetylcholine receptors and prevent acetylcholine from binding to the receptors. Which of the following could alleviate the symptoms of Myasthenia gravis?

Possible Answers:

Increasing acetylcholine half-life

Decreasing the activity of acetylcholinesterase

Decreasing calcium influx in presynaptic neuron

More than one of these are correct

Correct answer:

More than one of these are correct

Explanation:

Acetylcholine is a neurotransmitter found in neuromuscular junctions. Release of acetylcholine into the synaptic cleft allows acetylcholine to bind to its receptors on the muscle membrane. Once bound, acetylcholine activates a signaling cascade that eventually leads to muscle contraction. Circulating antibodies in Myasthenia gravis patients prevent this interaction between acetylcholine and its receptor, thus decreasing muscle contraction. One way to treat this disease is by administering drugs that increase the half-life of each acetylcholine molecule. The most common way to do this is by administering an acetylcholinesterase inhibitor. Acetylcholinesterase is an enzyme that breaks down acetylcholine molecules in the synaptic cleft; decreasing or inhibiting this enzyme will lead to increased acetylcholine concentration. This increased concentration will compete with the antibodies and facilitate muscle contraction. Decreasing calcium influx in the presynaptic neuron will decrease the release of acetylcholine into the synaptic cleft. This will make Myasthenia gravis symptoms worse.

Example Question #1 : Synapse Biochemistry

Which of the following neurotransmitters is not a catecholamine?

Possible Answers:

All of these are catecholamines

Norepinephrine

Dopamine

Epinephrine

Serotonin

Correct answer:

Serotonin

Explanation:

Out of all the neurotransmitters listed, the only one that isn't a catecholamine is serotonin. This neurotransmitter is initially derived from the amino acid tryptophan, whereas the catecholamines are derived from the amino acid tyrosine.

Dopamine, norepinephrine, and epinephrine are all catecholamine neurotransmitters. In fact, in the metabolic pathway that produces these compounds, dopamine is an intermediate that can be converted into norepinephrine, which can subsequently be converted into epinephrine.

Example Question #2 : Synapse Biochemistry

What category of neurotransmitters are synthesized in the endoplasmic reticulum, and are typically packaged in dense-core vesicles when examined via electron microscopy?

Possible Answers:

Small molecule neurotransmitters

Catecholamines

Gasotransmitters

Neuropeptides

Transferases

Correct answer:

Neuropeptides

Explanation:

Transferases are not neurotransmitters and can be omitted from selection. Catecholamines and small-molecule transmitters are overlapping categories and are typically packed in small, clear core vesicles. Gasotransmitters are membrane permeable and do not require vesicles for release. Neuropeptides are unique in that they are large and are synthesized at the ER, and are packed in large, dense vesicles, and thus this is the correct answer. 

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