Sample Questions

For each drug in questions 1-3, indicate (using the following format - go straight down the page - don't write a story - make an a-b-c list -  if you make up a format of your own, you'll lose points):

a) whether it has an agonistic or antagonistic action,

b) the underlying (cellular) mechanism by which it produces the preceding (don't tell me what it does to the entire organism), and

c) the neurotransmitter(s) that it affects (where appropriate, remember to note if a specific receptor type is involved)

1. morphine (3 points)

a)
b)
c)

2. reserpine (3 points)

a)
b)
c)

3. belladonna alkaloids (e.g., atropine) (3 points)

a)
b)
c)



In answers 4-6 tell me 3 different cellular mechanisms (one per question) by which a drug or other external manipulation could produce an AGONISTIC (I could have also picked ANTAGONISTIC) effect on a neurotransmitter system (you may repeat a mechanism involved in questions 1-3). For each of the preceding mechanisms, give me (using the format provided, not one of your own):

a) the mechanism, of course (DO NOT NAME A NEUROTRANSMITTER OR ANYTHING SPECIFIC TO A NEUROTRANSMITTER WHEN YOU NAME A MECHANISM--DON'T DO IT!!!!! JUST NAME THE NON-NEUROTRANSMITTER-SPECIFIC MECHANISM.)

b) a drug (or manipulation) that has that effect (you MAY NOT use those mentioned in questions 1-3) and

c) the neurotransmitter(s) affected by "b" (where appropriate, remember to note if a specific receptor type is involved).

4. You pick:

a) mechanism
b) drug (or manipulation) that works by that mechanism
c) neurotransmitter(s) affected by that drug (3 points)

5. same as 4, but a different mechanism (3 points)

a) mechanism
b) drug (or manipulation) that works by that mechanism
c) neurotransmitter(s) affected by that drug (3 points)

6. same as 4, but a different mechanism (3 points)

a) mechanism
b) drug (or manipulation) that works by that mechanism
c) neurotransmitter(s) affected by that drug (3 points)

7. Using a whole page, reproduce the drawing I presented in class showing a single action potential. (17 points--this does NOT involve drawing a big circle)

Indicate ON THE DRAWING using labels--DON'T write a story (IT WILL COST YOU AT LEAST 5 POINTS IF YOU DO):

appropriate voltages on the Y axis
one "threshold"
two refractory periods
where relevant (2 ion species) channels open/close
directions in which two ions flow
forces that drive these ions (watch your forces)

8.  Synthesize a neurotransmitter from the list I gave you, don't forget the relevant enzymes. (5 points)

9.  If you find more of a negative ion inside of a cell than outside of a cell, the Nernst equation would indicate that the cell membrane is ___________charged inside relative to outside. Now answer the same question but pretend that you are dealing with a positive ion.   (2 points)

a. positively, positively
b. positively, negatively
c. negatively, positively
d. negatively, negatively

That's All Folks