NSG 552 Psychopharmacology Exams
1-3 Complete-Q Test Bank with NGN
Case Scenarios & Rationales
EXAM 1: NEUROTRANSMITTERS AND BASIC
PSYCHOPHARMACOLOGY
SECTION 1: NEUROANATOMY AND NEUROTRANSMISSION
Question 1
The primary excitatory neurotransmitter in the central nervous system is:
A) GABA
B) Glutamate
C) Serotonin
D) Glycine
Correct Answer: B) Glutamate
Rationale: Glutamate is the primary excitatory neurotransmitter in the
central nervous system. It acts on ionotropic receptors (NMDA, AMPA,
kainate) and metabotropic receptors. Glutamate is involved in learning,
memory, and synaptic plasticity. Excess glutamate (excitotoxicity) is
implicated in neurodegeneration. GABA (A) is the primary inhibitory
neurotransmitter. Serotonin (C) is a monoamine. Glycine (D) is an inhibitory
neurotransmitter in the spinal cord.
,Question 2
The primary inhibitory neurotransmitter in the central nervous system is:
A) Glutamate
B) GABA
C) Norepinephrine
D) Dopamine
Correct Answer: B) GABA
Rationale: GABA (gamma-aminobutyric acid) is the primary inhibitory
neurotransmitter in the CNS. It acts on GABA-A receptors (ionotropic,
chloride channel) and GABA-B receptors (metabotropic). GABA is
synthesized from glutamate via glutamic acid decarboxylase (GAD).
GABAergic dysfunction is implicated in anxiety disorders, epilepsy, and
insomnia. Glutamate (A) is the primary excitatory neurotransmitter.
Norepinephrine (C) and dopamine (D) are monoamines.
Question 3
Dopamine is synthesized from which amino acid?
A) Tyrosine
B) Tryptophan
C) Glutamine
D) GABA
Correct Answer: A) Tyrosine
Rationale: Dopamine is synthesized from the amino acid tyrosine through a
two-step process: tyrosine → L-DOPA (via tyrosine hydroxylase) →
,dopamine (via DOPA decarboxylase). This pathway also produces
norepinephrine and epinephrine. Tryptophan (B) is the precursor for
serotonin. Glutamine (C) is a precursor for glutamate and GABA. GABA (D)
is a neurotransmitter, not an amino acid precursor.
Question 4
Serotonin is synthesized from which amino acid?
A) Tyrosine
B) Tryptophan
C) Glutamine
D) Glycine
Correct Answer: B) Tryptophan
Rationale: Serotonin (5-HT) is synthesized from the amino acid tryptophan
through a two-step process: tryptophan → 5-hydroxytryptophan (5-HTP)
(via tryptophan hydroxylase) → serotonin (via L-aromatic amino acid
decarboxylase). Tryptophan is an essential amino acid that must be
obtained through the diet. Tyrosine (A) is the precursor for catecholamines.
Glutamine (C) is a precursor for glutamate and GABA. Glycine (D) is an
inhibitory neurotransmitter.
Question 5
The rate-limiting step in catecholamine synthesis is:
A) Tyrosine hydroxylase
B) DOPA decarboxylase
C) Dopamine beta-hydroxylase
D) COMT
, Correct Answer: A) Tyrosine hydroxylase
Rationale: Tyrosine hydroxylase (TH) is the rate-limiting enzyme in
catecholamine (dopamine, norepinephrine, epinephrine) synthesis. It
converts tyrosine to L-DOPA. TH is regulated by feedback inhibition,
phosphorylation, and gene expression. DOPA decarboxylase (B) converts
L-DOPA to dopamine. Dopamine beta-hydroxylase (C) converts dopamine
to norepinephrine. COMT (D) is a degradation enzyme for catecholamines.
Question 6
The locus coeruleus is the primary source of which neurotransmitter?
A) Serotonin
B) Norepinephrine
C) Dopamine
D) Acetylcholine
Correct Answer: B) Norepinephrine
Rationale: The locus coeruleus is the primary source of norepinephrine in
the brain. It is located in the pons. It projects to the cerebral cortex, limbic
system, and spinal cord. It is involved in arousal, attention, and the stress
response. The raphe nuclei (A) are the primary source of serotonin. The
substantia nigra and VTA (C) are the primary sources of dopamine. The
basal forebrain and brainstem (D) are sources of acetylcholine.
Question 7
The raphe nuclei are the primary source of which neurotransmitter?
1-3 Complete-Q Test Bank with NGN
Case Scenarios & Rationales
EXAM 1: NEUROTRANSMITTERS AND BASIC
PSYCHOPHARMACOLOGY
SECTION 1: NEUROANATOMY AND NEUROTRANSMISSION
Question 1
The primary excitatory neurotransmitter in the central nervous system is:
A) GABA
B) Glutamate
C) Serotonin
D) Glycine
Correct Answer: B) Glutamate
Rationale: Glutamate is the primary excitatory neurotransmitter in the
central nervous system. It acts on ionotropic receptors (NMDA, AMPA,
kainate) and metabotropic receptors. Glutamate is involved in learning,
memory, and synaptic plasticity. Excess glutamate (excitotoxicity) is
implicated in neurodegeneration. GABA (A) is the primary inhibitory
neurotransmitter. Serotonin (C) is a monoamine. Glycine (D) is an inhibitory
neurotransmitter in the spinal cord.
,Question 2
The primary inhibitory neurotransmitter in the central nervous system is:
A) Glutamate
B) GABA
C) Norepinephrine
D) Dopamine
Correct Answer: B) GABA
Rationale: GABA (gamma-aminobutyric acid) is the primary inhibitory
neurotransmitter in the CNS. It acts on GABA-A receptors (ionotropic,
chloride channel) and GABA-B receptors (metabotropic). GABA is
synthesized from glutamate via glutamic acid decarboxylase (GAD).
GABAergic dysfunction is implicated in anxiety disorders, epilepsy, and
insomnia. Glutamate (A) is the primary excitatory neurotransmitter.
Norepinephrine (C) and dopamine (D) are monoamines.
Question 3
Dopamine is synthesized from which amino acid?
A) Tyrosine
B) Tryptophan
C) Glutamine
D) GABA
Correct Answer: A) Tyrosine
Rationale: Dopamine is synthesized from the amino acid tyrosine through a
two-step process: tyrosine → L-DOPA (via tyrosine hydroxylase) →
,dopamine (via DOPA decarboxylase). This pathway also produces
norepinephrine and epinephrine. Tryptophan (B) is the precursor for
serotonin. Glutamine (C) is a precursor for glutamate and GABA. GABA (D)
is a neurotransmitter, not an amino acid precursor.
Question 4
Serotonin is synthesized from which amino acid?
A) Tyrosine
B) Tryptophan
C) Glutamine
D) Glycine
Correct Answer: B) Tryptophan
Rationale: Serotonin (5-HT) is synthesized from the amino acid tryptophan
through a two-step process: tryptophan → 5-hydroxytryptophan (5-HTP)
(via tryptophan hydroxylase) → serotonin (via L-aromatic amino acid
decarboxylase). Tryptophan is an essential amino acid that must be
obtained through the diet. Tyrosine (A) is the precursor for catecholamines.
Glutamine (C) is a precursor for glutamate and GABA. Glycine (D) is an
inhibitory neurotransmitter.
Question 5
The rate-limiting step in catecholamine synthesis is:
A) Tyrosine hydroxylase
B) DOPA decarboxylase
C) Dopamine beta-hydroxylase
D) COMT
, Correct Answer: A) Tyrosine hydroxylase
Rationale: Tyrosine hydroxylase (TH) is the rate-limiting enzyme in
catecholamine (dopamine, norepinephrine, epinephrine) synthesis. It
converts tyrosine to L-DOPA. TH is regulated by feedback inhibition,
phosphorylation, and gene expression. DOPA decarboxylase (B) converts
L-DOPA to dopamine. Dopamine beta-hydroxylase (C) converts dopamine
to norepinephrine. COMT (D) is a degradation enzyme for catecholamines.
Question 6
The locus coeruleus is the primary source of which neurotransmitter?
A) Serotonin
B) Norepinephrine
C) Dopamine
D) Acetylcholine
Correct Answer: B) Norepinephrine
Rationale: The locus coeruleus is the primary source of norepinephrine in
the brain. It is located in the pons. It projects to the cerebral cortex, limbic
system, and spinal cord. It is involved in arousal, attention, and the stress
response. The raphe nuclei (A) are the primary source of serotonin. The
substantia nigra and VTA (C) are the primary sources of dopamine. The
basal forebrain and brainstem (D) are sources of acetylcholine.
Question 7
The raphe nuclei are the primary source of which neurotransmitter?
