NURS 6630 WEEK 2 DISCUSSION FOUNDATIONAL
NEUROSCIENCE 2026/2027 | Complete Solutions | Verified
Answers | Pass Guaranteed - A+ Graded
Neuroanatomy, Neurophysiology & Signal Transduction
Q1: Which brain region is primarily responsible for executive functions including
decision-making, impulse control, and mood regulation, making it a key target for many
psychotropic medications?
A. Amygdala
B. Hippocampus
C. Prefrontal cortex [CORRECT]
D. Cerebellum
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Correct because the prefrontal cortex (PFC) governs higher-order executive
functions including planning, decision-making, emotional regulation, and impulse
control; dysfunction in PFC connectivity is implicated in depression, schizophrenia, and
ADHD, and many psychotropics modulate PFC neurotransmission. The amygdala
processes fear, the hippocampus handles memory, and the cerebellum coordinates
movement.
Q2: During an action potential, which ion primarily rushes into the neuron causing rapid
depolarization?
A. Potassium (K+)
B. Chloride (Cl-)
C. Sodium (Na+) [CORRECT]
,D. Calcium (Ca2+)
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Correct because voltage-gated sodium channels open during depolarization,
allowing Na+ influx down its electrochemical gradient, which rapidly shifts the
membrane potential from negative to positive. Potassium efflux causes repolarization,
chloride influx typically hyperpolarizes, and calcium enters during neurotransmitter
release and certain action potential phases but is not the primary depolarizing ion.
Q3: A patient is prescribed a medication that acts as a positive allosteric modulator
(PAM) at the GABAA receptor. Which clinical effect would be most expected from this
mechanism?
A. Increased anxiety and agitation
B. Enhanced dopamine release in the nucleus accumbens
C. Increased chloride influx, hyperpolarization of neurons, and anxiolytic/sedative
effects [CORRECT]
D. Blockade of glutamate NMDA receptors
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Correct because benzodiazepines and barbiturates act as PAMs at GABAA
receptors, enhancing GABA's effect by increasing chloride channel opening frequency or
duration, leading to neuronal hyperpolarization and CNS depression (anxiolysis,
sedation, muscle relaxation). This mechanism does not directly affect dopamine or
block NMDA receptors.
Q4: Which second messenger system is activated when a neurotransmitter binds to a
Gq-coupled metabotropic receptor?
A. cAMP pathway with activation of adenylate cyclase
B. cAMP pathway with inhibition of adenylate cyclase
C. IP3/DAG pathway with activation of phospholipase C [CORRECT]
, D. Direct opening of ligand-gated ion channels
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Correct because Gq-coupled receptors activate phospholipase C, which
cleaves PIP2 into IP3 (releasing Ca2+ from the endoplasmic reticulum) and DAG
(activating protein kinase C). Gs-coupled receptors activate adenylate cyclase
(increasing cAMP), Gi-coupled receptors inhibit adenylate cyclase (decreasing cAMP),
and ionotropic receptors directly gate ion channels without second messengers.
Q5: The resting membrane potential of a typical neuron is approximately:
A. +40 mV
B. 0 mV
C. -70 mV [CORRECT]
D. -90 mV
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Correct because the resting membrane potential is maintained around -70
mV by the sodium-potassium pump (3 Na+ out, 2 K+ in) and selective membrane
permeability, creating a negative interior relative to the extracellular fluid. This
electrochemical gradient is essential for generating action potentials when threshold is
reached (typically around -55 mV).
Q6: Which brain structure serves as the primary relay station for sensory information
traveling to the cortex and is also involved in regulating sleep, wakefulness, and
consciousness?
A. Hypothalamus
B. Hippocampus
C. Thalamus [CORRECT]
D. Basal ganglia
NEUROSCIENCE 2026/2027 | Complete Solutions | Verified
Answers | Pass Guaranteed - A+ Graded
Neuroanatomy, Neurophysiology & Signal Transduction
Q1: Which brain region is primarily responsible for executive functions including
decision-making, impulse control, and mood regulation, making it a key target for many
psychotropic medications?
A. Amygdala
B. Hippocampus
C. Prefrontal cortex [CORRECT]
D. Cerebellum
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Correct because the prefrontal cortex (PFC) governs higher-order executive
functions including planning, decision-making, emotional regulation, and impulse
control; dysfunction in PFC connectivity is implicated in depression, schizophrenia, and
ADHD, and many psychotropics modulate PFC neurotransmission. The amygdala
processes fear, the hippocampus handles memory, and the cerebellum coordinates
movement.
Q2: During an action potential, which ion primarily rushes into the neuron causing rapid
depolarization?
A. Potassium (K+)
B. Chloride (Cl-)
C. Sodium (Na+) [CORRECT]
,D. Calcium (Ca2+)
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Correct because voltage-gated sodium channels open during depolarization,
allowing Na+ influx down its electrochemical gradient, which rapidly shifts the
membrane potential from negative to positive. Potassium efflux causes repolarization,
chloride influx typically hyperpolarizes, and calcium enters during neurotransmitter
release and certain action potential phases but is not the primary depolarizing ion.
Q3: A patient is prescribed a medication that acts as a positive allosteric modulator
(PAM) at the GABAA receptor. Which clinical effect would be most expected from this
mechanism?
A. Increased anxiety and agitation
B. Enhanced dopamine release in the nucleus accumbens
C. Increased chloride influx, hyperpolarization of neurons, and anxiolytic/sedative
effects [CORRECT]
D. Blockade of glutamate NMDA receptors
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Correct because benzodiazepines and barbiturates act as PAMs at GABAA
receptors, enhancing GABA's effect by increasing chloride channel opening frequency or
duration, leading to neuronal hyperpolarization and CNS depression (anxiolysis,
sedation, muscle relaxation). This mechanism does not directly affect dopamine or
block NMDA receptors.
Q4: Which second messenger system is activated when a neurotransmitter binds to a
Gq-coupled metabotropic receptor?
A. cAMP pathway with activation of adenylate cyclase
B. cAMP pathway with inhibition of adenylate cyclase
C. IP3/DAG pathway with activation of phospholipase C [CORRECT]
, D. Direct opening of ligand-gated ion channels
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Correct because Gq-coupled receptors activate phospholipase C, which
cleaves PIP2 into IP3 (releasing Ca2+ from the endoplasmic reticulum) and DAG
(activating protein kinase C). Gs-coupled receptors activate adenylate cyclase
(increasing cAMP), Gi-coupled receptors inhibit adenylate cyclase (decreasing cAMP),
and ionotropic receptors directly gate ion channels without second messengers.
Q5: The resting membrane potential of a typical neuron is approximately:
A. +40 mV
B. 0 mV
C. -70 mV [CORRECT]
D. -90 mV
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Correct because the resting membrane potential is maintained around -70
mV by the sodium-potassium pump (3 Na+ out, 2 K+ in) and selective membrane
permeability, creating a negative interior relative to the extracellular fluid. This
electrochemical gradient is essential for generating action potentials when threshold is
reached (typically around -55 mV).
Q6: Which brain structure serves as the primary relay station for sensory information
traveling to the cortex and is also involved in regulating sleep, wakefulness, and
consciousness?
A. Hypothalamus
B. Hippocampus
C. Thalamus [CORRECT]
D. Basal ganglia
