Question 1

Which of the following best describes the process of glutamate synthesis in neurons?

Accepted Answer

Glutamine + H\_2O + ATP + Glutaminase $$\rightarrow$$ Glutamate

Question 2

A knockout mouse lacking the VGLUT2 isoform would most likely:

Accepted Answer

Die immediately after birth

Question 3

Which transporter is responsible for removing glutamate and aspartate from the synaptic cleft?

Accepted Answer

Excitatory Amino Acid Transporters (EAATs)

Question 4

Which of the following is required for NMDA receptor channels to open?

Accepted Answer

Binding of glutamate and glycine/D-serine at the same time

Question 5

Which statement about glutamate receptors is correct?

Accepted Answer

Glutamate receptors include both ionotropic and metabotropic types

Question 6

What is the primary effect of ampakinines on AMPA receptors?

Accepted Answer

They reduce the rate of desensitization

Question 7

Long-term potentiation (LTP) in the hippocampus is most strongly associated with:

Accepted Answer

Strong activation of NMDA receptors in the postsynaptic cell

Question 8

Which disease is associated with uncontrollable, repeated stimulation of NMDA channels?

Accepted Answer

Alzheimer's disease

Question 9

Which process is described as the persistent decrease in the strength of synaptic transmission, often studied in the hippocampus and cerebellum?

Accepted Answer

Long-term depression (LTD)

Question 10

Direct injection of glutamate into brain tissue can cause lesions due to:

Accepted Answer

Excitotoxicity from overstimulation of glutamate receptors

Question 11

Which of the following statements about GABA synthesis is correct?

Accepted Answer

GABA is synthesized only by GABAergic neurons and functions solely as a neurotransmitter

Question 12

Which enzyme catalyzes the conversion of glutamate to GABA?

Accepted Answer

Glutamic acid decarboxylase (GAD)

Question 13

Which transporter moves GABA into synaptic vesicles?

Accepted Answer

VGAT

Question 14

Which of the following drugs is an irreversible inhibitor of GABA-T and is used as an anticonvulsant?

Accepted Answer

Vigabatrin

Question 15

A mutation in which receptor subunit is most commonly linked to some forms of epilepsy?

Accepted Answer

GABA-A (ionotropic Cl\^- receptor)

Question 16

Which of the following best describes the structure and function of GABA-A receptors?

Accepted Answer

Five subunits, allows Cl\^- influx, causes hyperpolarization of postsynaptic cell

Question 17

Which of the following statements about necrosis and apoptosis is correct?

Accepted Answer

Necrosis involves lysis due to osmotic swelling, while apoptosis is programmed cell death

Question 18

Which neurotransmitters are considered the major inhibitory amino acid transmitters in the CNS?

Accepted Answer

GABA and glycine

Question 19

Which of the following statements about glutamine recycling is correct?

Accepted Answer

Glutamine can be released by astrocytes, taken up by neurons, converted back to glutamate, and used to remake GABA

Glutamate and GABA Neurotransmission: Synthesis, Receptors, and Functional Roles

Study Guide - Practice Questions