NR 546 Week 8 Neurotransmitter Table -
Advanced Pharmacology Quiz 2026
|Chamberlain
1. Which amino acid serves as the primary precursor for the synthesis of
Serotonin (5-HT)?
A. Tyrosine
B. Glutamate
C. L-Tryptophan
D. Phenylalanine
Answer: C
Rationale: L-Tryptophan is the precursor amino acid for serotonin synthesis, converted
via tryptophan hydroxylase.
2. The enzyme responsible for the primary degradation of Serotonin in the brain
is:
A. MAO-A
B. Acetylcholinesterase
C. COMT
D. Dopa decarboxylase
Answer: A
Rationale: Monoamine oxidase A (MAO-A) is the primary enzyme responsible for the
breakdown of serotonin.
,3. Which dopamine pathway is primarily associated with the positive symptoms
of schizophrenia and reward-seeking behavior?
A. Nigrostriatal
B. Mesolimbic
C. Mesocortical
D. Tuberoinfundibular
Answer: B
Rationale: The mesolimbic pathway involves the projection of dopamine from the VTA to
the nucleus accumbens, regulating reward and positive psychotic symptoms.
4. Which neurotransmitter is the primary inhibitory signal in the central nervous
system?
A. GABA
B. Glutamate
C. Norepinephrine
D. Acetylcholine
Answer: A
Rationale: GABA (gamma-aminobutyric acid) is the main inhibitory neurotransmitter in
the CNS.
5. Excessive stimulation of which receptor type by Glutamate can lead to
excitotoxicity and neuronal death?
A. GABA-A
B. NMDA
C. D2
D. 5-HT1A
Answer: B
Rationale: Overactivation of NMDA receptors allows for excessive calcium influx, which is
toxic to neurons.
, 6. Acetylcholine is primarily degraded in the synaptic cleft by which enzyme?
A. Acetylcholinesterase
B. Catechol-O-methyltransferase
C. Monoamine oxidase
D. Tyrosine hydroxylase
Answer: A
Rationale: Acetylcholinesterase breaks down acetylcholine into choline and acetate within
the synaptic cleft.
7. Which norepinephrine receptor acts as a presynaptic autoreceptor, providing
negative feedback to inhibit further NE release?
A. Alpha-2
B. Beta-1
C. Alpha-1
D. Beta-2
Answer: A
Rationale: Alpha-2 adrenergic receptors are presynaptic autoreceptors that inhibit the
release of norepinephrine when stimulated.
8. Which dopamine pathway is responsible for regulating prolactin secretion?
A. Mesolimbic
B. Mesocortical
C. Tuberoinfundibular
D. Nigrostriatal
Answer: C
Rationale: Dopamine in the tuberoinfundibular pathway inhibits the release of prolactin
from the anterior pituitary.
Advanced Pharmacology Quiz 2026
|Chamberlain
1. Which amino acid serves as the primary precursor for the synthesis of
Serotonin (5-HT)?
A. Tyrosine
B. Glutamate
C. L-Tryptophan
D. Phenylalanine
Answer: C
Rationale: L-Tryptophan is the precursor amino acid for serotonin synthesis, converted
via tryptophan hydroxylase.
2. The enzyme responsible for the primary degradation of Serotonin in the brain
is:
A. MAO-A
B. Acetylcholinesterase
C. COMT
D. Dopa decarboxylase
Answer: A
Rationale: Monoamine oxidase A (MAO-A) is the primary enzyme responsible for the
breakdown of serotonin.
,3. Which dopamine pathway is primarily associated with the positive symptoms
of schizophrenia and reward-seeking behavior?
A. Nigrostriatal
B. Mesolimbic
C. Mesocortical
D. Tuberoinfundibular
Answer: B
Rationale: The mesolimbic pathway involves the projection of dopamine from the VTA to
the nucleus accumbens, regulating reward and positive psychotic symptoms.
4. Which neurotransmitter is the primary inhibitory signal in the central nervous
system?
A. GABA
B. Glutamate
C. Norepinephrine
D. Acetylcholine
Answer: A
Rationale: GABA (gamma-aminobutyric acid) is the main inhibitory neurotransmitter in
the CNS.
5. Excessive stimulation of which receptor type by Glutamate can lead to
excitotoxicity and neuronal death?
A. GABA-A
B. NMDA
C. D2
D. 5-HT1A
Answer: B
Rationale: Overactivation of NMDA receptors allows for excessive calcium influx, which is
toxic to neurons.
, 6. Acetylcholine is primarily degraded in the synaptic cleft by which enzyme?
A. Acetylcholinesterase
B. Catechol-O-methyltransferase
C. Monoamine oxidase
D. Tyrosine hydroxylase
Answer: A
Rationale: Acetylcholinesterase breaks down acetylcholine into choline and acetate within
the synaptic cleft.
7. Which norepinephrine receptor acts as a presynaptic autoreceptor, providing
negative feedback to inhibit further NE release?
A. Alpha-2
B. Beta-1
C. Alpha-1
D. Beta-2
Answer: A
Rationale: Alpha-2 adrenergic receptors are presynaptic autoreceptors that inhibit the
release of norepinephrine when stimulated.
8. Which dopamine pathway is responsible for regulating prolactin secretion?
A. Mesolimbic
B. Mesocortical
C. Tuberoinfundibular
D. Nigrostriatal
Answer: C
Rationale: Dopamine in the tuberoinfundibular pathway inhibits the release of prolactin
from the anterior pituitary.
