,NSG 552 Exam 1 | Psychopharmacology (2026)
Actual Q&A PDF | Wilkes
1. The amino acid precursor for dopamine synthesis is:
A) Tyrosine
B) Tryptophan
C) Glutamate
D) Serine
Correct Answer: Tyrosine
Rationale: Dopamine is a catecholamine synthesized from the amino acid
tyrosine via tyrosine hydroxylase. Tryptophan is the precursor for serotonin,
glutamate is an independent neurotransmitter, and serine is not directly
involved.
2. Dopamine is packaged into synaptic vesicles by which transporter?
A) Dopamine transporter (DAT)
B) Vesicular monoamine transporter (VMAT2)
C) Serotonin transporter (SERT)
D) Norepinephrine transporter (NET)
Correct Answer: Vesicular monoamine transporter (VMAT2)
,Rationale: VMAT2 loads dopamine into vesicles for storage and release. DAT
reuptakes dopamine from the synapse, while SERT and NET are specific for
serotonin and norepinephrine.
3. Which enzyme breaks down dopamine within the presynaptic neuron?
A) Catechol‑O‑methyltransferase (COMT)
B) Acetylcholinesterase
C) Monoamine oxidase (MAO)
D) Tyrosine hydroxylase
Correct Answer: Monoamine oxidase (MAO)
Rationale: MAO‑A and MAO‑B in the outer mitochondrial membrane degrade
intracellular dopamine. COMT acts extracellularly, acetylcholinesterase
degrades acetylcholine, and tyrosine hydroxylase synthesizes dopamine.
4. Stimulation of D2‑like receptors leads to:
A) Activation of adenylyl cyclase
B) Increase in cAMP concentration
C) Opening of calcium channels
D) Inhibition of adenylyl cyclase
Correct Answer: Inhibition of adenylyl cyclase
Rationale: D2‑like receptors (D2, D3, D4) couple to Gi/o, inhibiting adenylyl
cyclase and reducing cAMP. D1‑like receptors activate Gs and increase cAMP.
, 5. The mesolimbic dopamine pathway is primarily involved in:
A) Pleasure, reward, and motivation
B) Motor control and coordination
C) Prolactin regulation
D) Executive function and working memory
Correct Answer: Pleasure, reward, and motivation
Rationale: The mesolimbic pathway projects from the ventral tegmental area to
the nucleus accumbens and mediates reward. Blockade here can cause apathy
and anhedonia.
6. Negative symptoms of schizophrenia are associated with low dopamine in
which pathway?
A) Mesolimbic pathway
B) Mesocortical pathway
C) Nigrostriatal pathway
D) Tuberoinfundibular pathway
Correct Answer: Mesocortical pathway
Rationale: Hypodopaminergia in the mesocortical pathway, projecting to the
prefrontal cortex, contributes to negative and cognitive symptoms. Mesolimbic
hyperactivity underlies positive symptoms.
Actual Q&A PDF | Wilkes
1. The amino acid precursor for dopamine synthesis is:
A) Tyrosine
B) Tryptophan
C) Glutamate
D) Serine
Correct Answer: Tyrosine
Rationale: Dopamine is a catecholamine synthesized from the amino acid
tyrosine via tyrosine hydroxylase. Tryptophan is the precursor for serotonin,
glutamate is an independent neurotransmitter, and serine is not directly
involved.
2. Dopamine is packaged into synaptic vesicles by which transporter?
A) Dopamine transporter (DAT)
B) Vesicular monoamine transporter (VMAT2)
C) Serotonin transporter (SERT)
D) Norepinephrine transporter (NET)
Correct Answer: Vesicular monoamine transporter (VMAT2)
,Rationale: VMAT2 loads dopamine into vesicles for storage and release. DAT
reuptakes dopamine from the synapse, while SERT and NET are specific for
serotonin and norepinephrine.
3. Which enzyme breaks down dopamine within the presynaptic neuron?
A) Catechol‑O‑methyltransferase (COMT)
B) Acetylcholinesterase
C) Monoamine oxidase (MAO)
D) Tyrosine hydroxylase
Correct Answer: Monoamine oxidase (MAO)
Rationale: MAO‑A and MAO‑B in the outer mitochondrial membrane degrade
intracellular dopamine. COMT acts extracellularly, acetylcholinesterase
degrades acetylcholine, and tyrosine hydroxylase synthesizes dopamine.
4. Stimulation of D2‑like receptors leads to:
A) Activation of adenylyl cyclase
B) Increase in cAMP concentration
C) Opening of calcium channels
D) Inhibition of adenylyl cyclase
Correct Answer: Inhibition of adenylyl cyclase
Rationale: D2‑like receptors (D2, D3, D4) couple to Gi/o, inhibiting adenylyl
cyclase and reducing cAMP. D1‑like receptors activate Gs and increase cAMP.
, 5. The mesolimbic dopamine pathway is primarily involved in:
A) Pleasure, reward, and motivation
B) Motor control and coordination
C) Prolactin regulation
D) Executive function and working memory
Correct Answer: Pleasure, reward, and motivation
Rationale: The mesolimbic pathway projects from the ventral tegmental area to
the nucleus accumbens and mediates reward. Blockade here can cause apathy
and anhedonia.
6. Negative symptoms of schizophrenia are associated with low dopamine in
which pathway?
A) Mesolimbic pathway
B) Mesocortical pathway
C) Nigrostriatal pathway
D) Tuberoinfundibular pathway
Correct Answer: Mesocortical pathway
Rationale: Hypodopaminergia in the mesocortical pathway, projecting to the
prefrontal cortex, contributes to negative and cognitive symptoms. Mesolimbic
hyperactivity underlies positive symptoms.
