ANP 1106 FINAL EXAM 2026 | HUMAN ANATOMY AND PHYSIOLOGY II | ALL
QUESTIONS AND CORRECT ANSWERS | VERIFIED ANSWERS
Question 1
To be scientifically classified as a neurotransmitter, a molecule must meet which of the following
criteria?
A. It must be produced by the postsynaptic neuron.
B. It must be released by the presynaptic action potential.
C. It must travel through the bloodstream to reach its target.
D. It must always produce an inhibitory effect.
E. It must be a gas.
Correct Answer: B) It must be released by the presynaptic action potential.
Rationale: By definition, a neurotransmitter is a signaling molecule released by a
presynaptic neuron in response to an action potential to affect a postsynaptic cell.
Question 2
In addition to being released by a presynaptic action potential, what is the second requirement for
a molecule to be classified as a neurotransmitter?
A. It must have a postsynaptic receptor.
B. It must be able to cross the blood-brain barrier.
C. It must be composed of amino acids.
D. It must be stored in the nucleus.
E. It must stay in the synaptic cleft forever.
Correct Answer: A) It must have a postsynaptic receptor.
Rationale: For a chemical to function as a neurotransmitter, there must be a specific protein
(receptor) on the target cell that recognizes and responds to it.
Question 3
Which of the following is NOT one of the listed chemical classes of neurotransmitters?
A. Biogenic amines
B. Purines
C. Peptides
D. Carbohydrate chains
E. Gases and lipids
Correct Answer: D) Carbohydrate chains
Rationale: The major classes of neurotransmitters include acetylcholine, amino acids,
biogenic amines, peptides, purines, and gases/lipids. Carbohydrates are not a standard
class of neurotransmitters.
Question 4
Which neurotransmitter is the most common excitatory signaling molecule in the Central
Nervous System (CNS)?
, 2
A. GABA
B. Acetylcholine
C. Glutamate
D. Glycine
E. Dopamine
Correct Answer: C) Glutamate
Rationale: Glutamate is the primary mediator of excitatory signals in the mammalian CNS.
Question 5
Which neurotransmitter is the most common inhibitory signaling molecule in the Central
Nervous System (CNS)?
A. Glutamate
B. GABA
C. Norepinephrine
D. Serotonin
E. Substance P
Correct Answer: B) GABA
Rationale: GABA (gamma-aminobutyric acid) is the main inhibitory neurotransmitter in
the brain, helping to regulate neuronal excitability.
Question 6
The ultimate physiological effect (excitatory or inhibitory) of a neurotransmitter on a
postsynaptic cell is determined by:
A. The size of the neurotransmitter molecule.
B. The type of receptor it binds to.
C. The distance of the synaptic cleft.
D. The speed of the action potential.
E. The number of dendrites on the presynaptic neuron.
Correct Answer: B) Receptor
Rationale: The neurotransmitter is simply a messenger; the receptor dictates the cellular
response (e.g., which ion channels open).
Question 7
A receptor that directly opens an ion channel upon binding with a neurotransmitter is classified
as:
. Metabotropic
B. G-protein linked
C. Ionotropic
D. Intracellular
E. Adrenergic
Correct Answer: C) Ionotropic
, 3
Rationale: Ionotropic receptors are ligand-gated ion channels that provide rapid, direct
changes in membrane potential.
Question 8
Which of the following describes a metabotropic receptor?
A. It opens an ion channel directly.
B. It is always found on the presynaptic membrane.
C. It activates a G-protein to perform a secondary signaling cascade.
D. It only responds to electrical stimuli.
E. It uses osmosis to move ions.
Correct Answer: C) it doesn't open a channel instead it activates a G protein to preform a
cascade
Rationale: Metabotropic receptors act through intermediate molecules (G-proteins) to
produce slower, longer-lasting metabolic changes.
Question 9
What is the effect of Acetylcholine (ACh) when it binds to nicotinic receptors on skeletal muscle
cells?
A. It hyperpolarizes the cell (inhibitory).
B. It has no effect.
C. It depolarizes the cell (excitatory).
D. It causes the cell to secrete hormones.
E. It activates a G-protein cascade.
Correct Answer: C) excitatory (depolarize skeletal muscle cells)
Rationale: Nicotinic receptors are ionotropic; binding of ACh allows sodium entry, leading
to depolarization and muscle contraction.
Question 10
How does Acetylcholine (ACh) affect cardiac muscle cells when binding to muscarinic
receptors?
A. It depolarizes the heart (excitatory).
B. It hyperpolarizes the heart (inhibitory).
C. It increases heart rate immediately.
D. It opens calcium channels directly.
E. It causes the heart to stop permanently.
Correct Answer: B) inhibitory (hyper polarize cardiac muscle cells)
Rationale: Muscarinic receptors in the heart are metabotropic and linked to potassium
channels; binding causes hyperpolarization, which slows the heart rate.
Question 11
The process of "Summation" in a neuron is best defined as:
, 4
A. The total count of neurotransmitters in a vesicle.
B. The adding together of all incoming signals to determine if an action potential occurs.
C. The speed at which a signal travels down an axon.
D. The release of calcium from the sarcoplasmic reticulum.
E. The breakdown of a neurotransmitter by enzymes.
Correct Answer: B) adding of all of the signal
Rationale: Individual postsynaptic potentials are often too small to reach threshold;
summation combines them to reach the firing level.
Question 12
When a single presynaptic neuron fires rapidly to provide multiple signals over a period of time
to a postsynaptic neuron, it is called:
A. Spatial summation
B. Temporal summation
C. Reciprocal inhibition
D. Divergence
E. Transduction
Correct Answer: B) temporal summation
Rationale: Temporal summation involves the high-frequency stimulation of a single synapse.
Question 13
Which type of summation occurs when multiple different neurons fire at the same time at
different locations on the postsynaptic neuron?
A. Temporal summation
B. Binary summation
C. Spatial summation
D. Converging summation
E. Parallel summation
Correct Answer: C) spatial summation
Rationale: Spatial summation involves signals from multiple presynaptic sources converging
on one postsynaptic cell simultaneously.
Question 14
Which type of neural circuit is designed to spread a signal from one or a few input neurons to
many output neurons?
A. Converging circuit
B. Reverberating circuit
C. Parallel after-discharge circuit
D. Diverging circuit
E. Reflex arc
Correct Answer: D) diverging circuit
QUESTIONS AND CORRECT ANSWERS | VERIFIED ANSWERS
Question 1
To be scientifically classified as a neurotransmitter, a molecule must meet which of the following
criteria?
A. It must be produced by the postsynaptic neuron.
B. It must be released by the presynaptic action potential.
C. It must travel through the bloodstream to reach its target.
D. It must always produce an inhibitory effect.
E. It must be a gas.
Correct Answer: B) It must be released by the presynaptic action potential.
Rationale: By definition, a neurotransmitter is a signaling molecule released by a
presynaptic neuron in response to an action potential to affect a postsynaptic cell.
Question 2
In addition to being released by a presynaptic action potential, what is the second requirement for
a molecule to be classified as a neurotransmitter?
A. It must have a postsynaptic receptor.
B. It must be able to cross the blood-brain barrier.
C. It must be composed of amino acids.
D. It must be stored in the nucleus.
E. It must stay in the synaptic cleft forever.
Correct Answer: A) It must have a postsynaptic receptor.
Rationale: For a chemical to function as a neurotransmitter, there must be a specific protein
(receptor) on the target cell that recognizes and responds to it.
Question 3
Which of the following is NOT one of the listed chemical classes of neurotransmitters?
A. Biogenic amines
B. Purines
C. Peptides
D. Carbohydrate chains
E. Gases and lipids
Correct Answer: D) Carbohydrate chains
Rationale: The major classes of neurotransmitters include acetylcholine, amino acids,
biogenic amines, peptides, purines, and gases/lipids. Carbohydrates are not a standard
class of neurotransmitters.
Question 4
Which neurotransmitter is the most common excitatory signaling molecule in the Central
Nervous System (CNS)?
, 2
A. GABA
B. Acetylcholine
C. Glutamate
D. Glycine
E. Dopamine
Correct Answer: C) Glutamate
Rationale: Glutamate is the primary mediator of excitatory signals in the mammalian CNS.
Question 5
Which neurotransmitter is the most common inhibitory signaling molecule in the Central
Nervous System (CNS)?
A. Glutamate
B. GABA
C. Norepinephrine
D. Serotonin
E. Substance P
Correct Answer: B) GABA
Rationale: GABA (gamma-aminobutyric acid) is the main inhibitory neurotransmitter in
the brain, helping to regulate neuronal excitability.
Question 6
The ultimate physiological effect (excitatory or inhibitory) of a neurotransmitter on a
postsynaptic cell is determined by:
A. The size of the neurotransmitter molecule.
B. The type of receptor it binds to.
C. The distance of the synaptic cleft.
D. The speed of the action potential.
E. The number of dendrites on the presynaptic neuron.
Correct Answer: B) Receptor
Rationale: The neurotransmitter is simply a messenger; the receptor dictates the cellular
response (e.g., which ion channels open).
Question 7
A receptor that directly opens an ion channel upon binding with a neurotransmitter is classified
as:
. Metabotropic
B. G-protein linked
C. Ionotropic
D. Intracellular
E. Adrenergic
Correct Answer: C) Ionotropic
, 3
Rationale: Ionotropic receptors are ligand-gated ion channels that provide rapid, direct
changes in membrane potential.
Question 8
Which of the following describes a metabotropic receptor?
A. It opens an ion channel directly.
B. It is always found on the presynaptic membrane.
C. It activates a G-protein to perform a secondary signaling cascade.
D. It only responds to electrical stimuli.
E. It uses osmosis to move ions.
Correct Answer: C) it doesn't open a channel instead it activates a G protein to preform a
cascade
Rationale: Metabotropic receptors act through intermediate molecules (G-proteins) to
produce slower, longer-lasting metabolic changes.
Question 9
What is the effect of Acetylcholine (ACh) when it binds to nicotinic receptors on skeletal muscle
cells?
A. It hyperpolarizes the cell (inhibitory).
B. It has no effect.
C. It depolarizes the cell (excitatory).
D. It causes the cell to secrete hormones.
E. It activates a G-protein cascade.
Correct Answer: C) excitatory (depolarize skeletal muscle cells)
Rationale: Nicotinic receptors are ionotropic; binding of ACh allows sodium entry, leading
to depolarization and muscle contraction.
Question 10
How does Acetylcholine (ACh) affect cardiac muscle cells when binding to muscarinic
receptors?
A. It depolarizes the heart (excitatory).
B. It hyperpolarizes the heart (inhibitory).
C. It increases heart rate immediately.
D. It opens calcium channels directly.
E. It causes the heart to stop permanently.
Correct Answer: B) inhibitory (hyper polarize cardiac muscle cells)
Rationale: Muscarinic receptors in the heart are metabotropic and linked to potassium
channels; binding causes hyperpolarization, which slows the heart rate.
Question 11
The process of "Summation" in a neuron is best defined as:
, 4
A. The total count of neurotransmitters in a vesicle.
B. The adding together of all incoming signals to determine if an action potential occurs.
C. The speed at which a signal travels down an axon.
D. The release of calcium from the sarcoplasmic reticulum.
E. The breakdown of a neurotransmitter by enzymes.
Correct Answer: B) adding of all of the signal
Rationale: Individual postsynaptic potentials are often too small to reach threshold;
summation combines them to reach the firing level.
Question 12
When a single presynaptic neuron fires rapidly to provide multiple signals over a period of time
to a postsynaptic neuron, it is called:
A. Spatial summation
B. Temporal summation
C. Reciprocal inhibition
D. Divergence
E. Transduction
Correct Answer: B) temporal summation
Rationale: Temporal summation involves the high-frequency stimulation of a single synapse.
Question 13
Which type of summation occurs when multiple different neurons fire at the same time at
different locations on the postsynaptic neuron?
A. Temporal summation
B. Binary summation
C. Spatial summation
D. Converging summation
E. Parallel summation
Correct Answer: C) spatial summation
Rationale: Spatial summation involves signals from multiple presynaptic sources converging
on one postsynaptic cell simultaneously.
Question 14
Which type of neural circuit is designed to spread a signal from one or a few input neurons to
many output neurons?
A. Converging circuit
B. Reverberating circuit
C. Parallel after-discharge circuit
D. Diverging circuit
E. Reflex arc
Correct Answer: D) diverging circuit
