Human Anatomy and Physiology : Systems Physiology

Study concepts, example questions & explanations for Human Anatomy and Physiology

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Example Questions

Example Question #631 : Systems Physiology

Which class of neurotransmitters play a role in response to injury stress and pain perception? 

Possible Answers:

Opioid neuroactive peptides

Non-opioid neuroactive peptides 

Biogenic amines 

Monoamines 

Catecholamines

Correct answer:

Opioid neuroactive peptides

Explanation:

Opioid neuroactive peptides include enkephalins, endorphins, and dynorphin. These bind to opiate receptors in the brain, which also bind opiate drugs such as heroin and morphine. These are known to play a role in response to injury stress and pain perception and are released during exercise. Non-opioid neuroactive peptides do not bind opiates and their function is not well understood. Amino acids include glutamic acid and GABA. Biogenic amines include monoamines and catecholamines, which include norepinephrine, epinephrine, dopamine, and serotonin. 

Example Question #632 : Systems Physiology

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

Possible Answers:

GABA

Dopamine

Acetylcholine 

Glutamate

Epinephrine

Correct answer:

Glutamate

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. 

Example Question #633 : Systems Physiology

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

Possible Answers:

Serotonin

Norepinephrine

Acetylcholine

Dopamine

GABA

Correct answer:

Dopamine

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.

Example Question #634 : Systems Physiology

What are the two primary receptor types for the neurotransmitter acetylcholine?

Possible Answers:

Acetylcholine-1 and acetylcholine-2

Muscarinic and cholinergic

Muscarinic and nicotinic

Cholinergic and acetylic

NMDA and AMPA

Correct answer:

Muscarinic and nicotinic

Explanation:

Acetylcholine utilizes both muscarinic and nicotinic receptors. The nicotinic receptors are ionotropic and are primarily excitatory. Whereas, the muscarinic receptors are metabotropic and can be either excitatory or inhibitory. All receptors that bind acetylcholine are referred to as cholinergic.

Example Question #635 : Systems Physiology

What neurotransmitters are released when the periaqueductal grey (PAG) is stimulated in response to pain?

Possible Answers:

Serotonin

Glutamate

Glycine

Dopamine

Epinephrine

Correct answer:

Serotonin

Explanation:

Physiologically, when the PAG is stimulated serotonin is produced. Serotonin will increase the pain threshold (ascending tract) and inhibit pain receptors (descending tract). 

Example Question #636 : Systems Physiology

What is saturability?

Possible Answers:

There is a finite number of receptors in a given tissue, and excess neurotransmitters will saturate these receptors.

Saturability refers to the finite amount of neurotransmitter receptors that can be embedded into the neuronal membrane before there is no more space.

None of the answers are correct.

There are a finite number of action potentials that can be concurrently occurring in the CNS, and this is referred to as saturability.

There is a finite number of neurotransmitter molecules, and excess receptors for binding will not be able to saturate the neurotransmitter molecules, resulting in excess signaling.

Correct answer:

There is a finite number of receptors in a given tissue, and excess neurotransmitters will saturate these receptors.

Explanation:

There are a finite number of receptors for a neurotransmitter in a neuron. When neurotransmitter molecules are released, they will bind these receptors. Since the number of neurotransmitters is greater than the number of neurotransmitter receptors, there will be a saturation of receptors with neurotransmitter. This is the term 'saturability.'

Example Question #637 : Systems Physiology

A neurotransmitter with high affinity for its receptor will have a __________ association constant (Ka) and __________ dissociation constant (Kd).

Possible Answers:

low association constant; low dissociation constant

high association constant; low dissociation constant

variable association constant; low dissociation constant

low association constant; High dissociation constant

high association constant; high dissociation constant

Correct answer:

high association constant; low dissociation constant

Explanation:

The affinity of a neurotransmitter for its receptor is governed by its association and dissociation constants. The association constant describes how readily it associates with the receptor. Therefore, a higher association constant means more ready association with the receptor, and higher affinity. On the other hand, the dissociation constant describes how readily it dissociates from the receptor. Therefore, a higher dissociation constant means more ready dissociation from the receptor, and lower affinity. Therefore, a high association constant and low dissociation constant means the neurotransmitter readily binds but does not readily unbind from the receptor, meaning it has a high affinity.

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