NSG 522 PYSCHOPHARMACOLOGY
EXAM 1 2026/2027 WITH ACTUAL
CORRECT QUESTIONS AND SOLUTIONS
|FREQUENTLY TESTED QUESTIONS AND
SOLUTIONS |ALREADY GRADED
A+|NEWEST|BRAND NEW VERSION!!
1. The rate-limiting enzyme in the synthesis of catecholamines is:
• A) Tyrosine hydroxylase
• B) Aromatic acid decarboxylase
• C) Dopamine β-hydroxylase
• D) DOPA decarboxylase
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Tyrosine hydroxylase is the rate-limiting enzyme in
catecholamine synthesis (dopamine, norepinephrine, epinephrine). It
converts tyrosine to DOPA and is the primary regulatory step.
2. Activation of terminal autoreceptors inhibits dopamine release by:
• A) Increasing Cl⁻ entry into the terminal
• B) Decreasing Ca²⁺ entry into the terminal
• C) Preventing reuptake into vesicles
• D) Decreasing Na⁺ entry into the terminal
,Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Autoreceptor activation reduces calcium influx into the nerve
terminal, which decreases neurotransmitter release.
3. The dopamine pathway most important for regulating movement is
the _____ pathway.
• A) Nigrostriatal
• B) Mesolimbic
• C) Mesocortical
• D) Tuberoinfundibular
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The nigrostriatal pathway, projecting from the substantia nigra
to the striatum, is primarily responsible for motor control. Degeneration of
this pathway leads to Parkinson's disease.
4. Dopaminergic cell bodies are found primarily in the _____, while
adrenergic cell bodies are found in the _____.
• A) Midbrain; pons and medulla
• B) Midbrain; hypothalamus
• C) Pons and medulla; forebrain
• D) Frontal cortex; cerebellum
Correct Answer: A
,Rationale: Dopaminergic neurons originate in the midbrain (substantia
nigra and ventral tegmental area). Adrenergic (norepinephrine/epinephrine)
cell bodies are located in the pons and medulla (locus coeruleus).
5. Which of the following exerts its pharmacological effects by
blocking monoamine reuptake?
• A) Cocaine and tricyclic antidepressants
• B) Cocaine and phenelzine
• C) Clonidine and tricyclic antidepressants
• D) Clonidine and yohimbine
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Cocaine and tricyclic antidepressants both block monoamine
reuptake transporters, increasing synaptic concentrations of dopamine,
norepinephrine, and/or serotonin.
6. B₁- and B₂-adrenoceptors _____ while B₂-receptors _____.
• A) Stimulate adenylyl cyclase; enhance free Ca²⁺ levels
• B) Inhibit adenylyl cyclase; stimulate adenylyl cyclase
• C) Stimulate adenylyl cyclase; inhibit adenylyl cyclase
• D) Increase K⁺ channel opening; inhibit adenylyl cyclase
Correct Answer: C
, Rationale: Both B₁ and B₂ adrenoceptors stimulate adenylyl cyclase via Gs
protein coupling, increasing cAMP. The distinction between them is
primarily anatomical and functional, not in their signaling mechanism.
7. Action potentials in neurons are considered:
• A) All-or-none events
• B) Graded responses
• C) Dependent on neurotransmitter concentration
• D) Reversible events
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Action potentials are all-or-none events—once threshold is
reached, the action potential fires at full amplitude regardless of stimulus
strength.
8. Which of the following does NOT cause tolerance?
• A) Conditioning factors
• B) Increased activity of liver enzymes
• C) Downregulation of receptors
• D) Decreased kidney function
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Downregulation of receptors is a mechanism that can contribute
to tolerance by reducing the number of available receptors. The question
EXAM 1 2026/2027 WITH ACTUAL
CORRECT QUESTIONS AND SOLUTIONS
|FREQUENTLY TESTED QUESTIONS AND
SOLUTIONS |ALREADY GRADED
A+|NEWEST|BRAND NEW VERSION!!
1. The rate-limiting enzyme in the synthesis of catecholamines is:
• A) Tyrosine hydroxylase
• B) Aromatic acid decarboxylase
• C) Dopamine β-hydroxylase
• D) DOPA decarboxylase
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Tyrosine hydroxylase is the rate-limiting enzyme in
catecholamine synthesis (dopamine, norepinephrine, epinephrine). It
converts tyrosine to DOPA and is the primary regulatory step.
2. Activation of terminal autoreceptors inhibits dopamine release by:
• A) Increasing Cl⁻ entry into the terminal
• B) Decreasing Ca²⁺ entry into the terminal
• C) Preventing reuptake into vesicles
• D) Decreasing Na⁺ entry into the terminal
,Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Autoreceptor activation reduces calcium influx into the nerve
terminal, which decreases neurotransmitter release.
3. The dopamine pathway most important for regulating movement is
the _____ pathway.
• A) Nigrostriatal
• B) Mesolimbic
• C) Mesocortical
• D) Tuberoinfundibular
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The nigrostriatal pathway, projecting from the substantia nigra
to the striatum, is primarily responsible for motor control. Degeneration of
this pathway leads to Parkinson's disease.
4. Dopaminergic cell bodies are found primarily in the _____, while
adrenergic cell bodies are found in the _____.
• A) Midbrain; pons and medulla
• B) Midbrain; hypothalamus
• C) Pons and medulla; forebrain
• D) Frontal cortex; cerebellum
Correct Answer: A
,Rationale: Dopaminergic neurons originate in the midbrain (substantia
nigra and ventral tegmental area). Adrenergic (norepinephrine/epinephrine)
cell bodies are located in the pons and medulla (locus coeruleus).
5. Which of the following exerts its pharmacological effects by
blocking monoamine reuptake?
• A) Cocaine and tricyclic antidepressants
• B) Cocaine and phenelzine
• C) Clonidine and tricyclic antidepressants
• D) Clonidine and yohimbine
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Cocaine and tricyclic antidepressants both block monoamine
reuptake transporters, increasing synaptic concentrations of dopamine,
norepinephrine, and/or serotonin.
6. B₁- and B₂-adrenoceptors _____ while B₂-receptors _____.
• A) Stimulate adenylyl cyclase; enhance free Ca²⁺ levels
• B) Inhibit adenylyl cyclase; stimulate adenylyl cyclase
• C) Stimulate adenylyl cyclase; inhibit adenylyl cyclase
• D) Increase K⁺ channel opening; inhibit adenylyl cyclase
Correct Answer: C
, Rationale: Both B₁ and B₂ adrenoceptors stimulate adenylyl cyclase via Gs
protein coupling, increasing cAMP. The distinction between them is
primarily anatomical and functional, not in their signaling mechanism.
7. Action potentials in neurons are considered:
• A) All-or-none events
• B) Graded responses
• C) Dependent on neurotransmitter concentration
• D) Reversible events
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Action potentials are all-or-none events—once threshold is
reached, the action potential fires at full amplitude regardless of stimulus
strength.
8. Which of the following does NOT cause tolerance?
• A) Conditioning factors
• B) Increased activity of liver enzymes
• C) Downregulation of receptors
• D) Decreased kidney function
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Downregulation of receptors is a mechanism that can contribute
to tolerance by reducing the number of available receptors. The question
