PHM 431 EXAM #1 QUESTIONS AND
ANSWERS
The locus ceruleus is: - Answer-The vigilance center of the brain (novelty detection,
alertness)
5-hydroxytryptamine is a precursor for the synthesis of which molecule? - Answer-
Melatonin (from serotonin)
What is NOT part of the mesolimbic dopamine reward system? - Answer-Locus
coeruleus
(PfC, VTA, and NAc are)
Functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) measures: - Answer-Increased blood
flow to an active region of the brain (hemoglobin has different magnetic resonance)
What is responsible for establishing the unequal distribution of ion across the plasma
membrane? - Answer-Na+/K+ ATPase
What receptor is blocked by phencycline? - Answer-NMDA receptors
Competitive receptor antagonists: - Answer-Shift the concentration response curve of
an agonist to the right
The equilibrium dissociation constant for a drug is a measure of drug: - Answer-Affinity
(how tightly drug binds to receptor; can be for an agonist or antagonist)
What is a disadvantage of intravenous route of drug administration? - Answer-High risk
of exceeding toxic drug level
When an agonist binds its receptor, the agonist causes a response in the target cell but
it also causes receptor internalization. This is a mechanism that can explain: - Answer-
Cross tolerance
Many factors contribute to drug addiction and continued drug use. What is NOT one of
these factors? - Answer-1st order elimination kinetics (Actual factors: drug tolerance,
drug dependence, drug withdrawal)
EC50 is a measure of drug: - Answer-Potency
What protects against acetaminophen hepato (liver) toxicity? - Answer-Glutathione
(binds to NAPQI, the toxic metabolite of acetaminophen, reducing the free concentration
of this toxin)
ANSWERS
The locus ceruleus is: - Answer-The vigilance center of the brain (novelty detection,
alertness)
5-hydroxytryptamine is a precursor for the synthesis of which molecule? - Answer-
Melatonin (from serotonin)
What is NOT part of the mesolimbic dopamine reward system? - Answer-Locus
coeruleus
(PfC, VTA, and NAc are)
Functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) measures: - Answer-Increased blood
flow to an active region of the brain (hemoglobin has different magnetic resonance)
What is responsible for establishing the unequal distribution of ion across the plasma
membrane? - Answer-Na+/K+ ATPase
What receptor is blocked by phencycline? - Answer-NMDA receptors
Competitive receptor antagonists: - Answer-Shift the concentration response curve of
an agonist to the right
The equilibrium dissociation constant for a drug is a measure of drug: - Answer-Affinity
(how tightly drug binds to receptor; can be for an agonist or antagonist)
What is a disadvantage of intravenous route of drug administration? - Answer-High risk
of exceeding toxic drug level
When an agonist binds its receptor, the agonist causes a response in the target cell but
it also causes receptor internalization. This is a mechanism that can explain: - Answer-
Cross tolerance
Many factors contribute to drug addiction and continued drug use. What is NOT one of
these factors? - Answer-1st order elimination kinetics (Actual factors: drug tolerance,
drug dependence, drug withdrawal)
EC50 is a measure of drug: - Answer-Potency
What protects against acetaminophen hepato (liver) toxicity? - Answer-Glutathione
(binds to NAPQI, the toxic metabolite of acetaminophen, reducing the free concentration
of this toxin)
