UTMB ADVANCED PATHOPHYSIOLOGY
5355 EXAM 3
Actual Questions and Answers
Expert-Verified Explanation
This Exam contains:
✪ Multiple-choice and True/False Format
✪ Expert-Verified Explanations
✪ Verified with Trusted Textbooks
Question 1:
What does the Biogenic Amine Theory suggest about depression?
A) Elevated dopamine levels cause depression
B) An excess of serotonin improves depressive symptoms
C) A deficiency in norepinephrine, dopamine, and serotonin contributes to depression
D) Glutamate overload is the key cause of depression
Answer: C
EXPLANATION: The Biogenic Amine Theory attributes depression to deficiencies in neurotransmitters
such as norepinephrine, dopamine, and serotonin.
Question 2:
Which hypothesis suggests that a deficiency of monoamine neurotransmitters at neuronal synapses is
linked to depression?
A) Neurofibrillary Tangle Hypothesis
B) Neurotransmitter Receptor Hypothesis
C) Glutamate Cascade Theory
D) Cholinergic Deficiency Theory
Answer: B
EXPLANATION: The Neurotransmitter Receptor Hypothesis suggests that depression is due to
insufficient monoamines like serotonin and norepinephrine at synapses.
Question 3:
What is the primary effect of antidepressants?
A) Decrease dopamine synthesis
B) Increase neuronal synaptic levels of monoamine neurotransmitters
C) Promote neuron degeneration
D) Reduce norepinephrine receptor activity
Answer: B
,EXPLANATION: Antidepressants function by increasing synaptic concentrations of neurotransmitters like
serotonin and norepinephrine.
Question 4:
If there are more receptors than neurotransmitters, what occurs?
A) Enhanced neurotransmission
B) Desensitization of neurons
C) Ineffective neurotransmission due to depletion
D) Normal brain function
Answer: C
EXPLANATION: Neurotransmitters fail to function properly when receptors outnumber them, leading to
inadequate signaling.
Question 5:
What happens in HPA system dysregulation in major depression?
A) Decreased cortisol levels
B) Excessive glucocorticoid secretion
C) Reduced serotonin production
D) Hypothalamic inactivity
Answer: B
EXPLANATION: Dysregulation of the HPA axis leads to increased glucocorticoid (cortisol) secretion in
depression.
Question 6:
Which neurotransmitter is significantly reduced in Alzheimer’s disease?
A) GABA
B) Acetylcholine
C) Dopamine
D) Glutamate
Answer: B
EXPLANATION: Acetylcholine levels are reduced in Alzheimer’s, contributing to memory impairment.
Question 7:
Which of the following best defines neurofibrillary tangles?
A) Dopamine-synthesizing enzymes
B) Abnormal clumps that block cerebrospinal fluid
C) Twisted fibers disrupting nutrient transport to neurons
D) Fat deposits in the brain
Answer: C
, EXPLANATION: Neurofibrillary tangles are twisted fibers inside neurons that disrupt cellular transport,
seen in Alzheimer's.
Question 8:
True or False: The most common cause of dementia is vascular disease.
Answer: False
EXPLANATION: Alzheimer's disease is the most common cause of dementia, not vascular disease.
Question 9:
Which best describes Parkinson’s Disease?
A) An autoimmune disorder
B) A metabolic bone disease
C) A chronic, progressive neurodegenerative motor disorder
D) A vascular condition
Answer: C
EXPLANATION: Parkinson’s is a chronic neurodegenerative disorder characterized by motor dysfunction.
Question 10:
Which brain structure is affected in Parkinson’s disease?
A) Hippocampus
B) Substantia nigra
C) Cerebellum
D) Amygdala
Answer: B
EXPLANATION: Parkinson's is associated with neuron loss in the substantia nigra, a key dopamine-
producing region.
Question 11:
Which symptom is not typical of Parkinson’s Disease?
A) Resting tremor
B) Muscle rigidity
C) Hyperactivity
D) Bradykinesia
Answer: C
EXPLANATION: Hyperactivity is not a Parkinsonian trait; it involves slowed movements and rigidity.
Question 12:
What are the two main categories of cerebrovascular accident (CVA)?
A) Thrombotic and embolic
5355 EXAM 3
Actual Questions and Answers
Expert-Verified Explanation
This Exam contains:
✪ Multiple-choice and True/False Format
✪ Expert-Verified Explanations
✪ Verified with Trusted Textbooks
Question 1:
What does the Biogenic Amine Theory suggest about depression?
A) Elevated dopamine levels cause depression
B) An excess of serotonin improves depressive symptoms
C) A deficiency in norepinephrine, dopamine, and serotonin contributes to depression
D) Glutamate overload is the key cause of depression
Answer: C
EXPLANATION: The Biogenic Amine Theory attributes depression to deficiencies in neurotransmitters
such as norepinephrine, dopamine, and serotonin.
Question 2:
Which hypothesis suggests that a deficiency of monoamine neurotransmitters at neuronal synapses is
linked to depression?
A) Neurofibrillary Tangle Hypothesis
B) Neurotransmitter Receptor Hypothesis
C) Glutamate Cascade Theory
D) Cholinergic Deficiency Theory
Answer: B
EXPLANATION: The Neurotransmitter Receptor Hypothesis suggests that depression is due to
insufficient monoamines like serotonin and norepinephrine at synapses.
Question 3:
What is the primary effect of antidepressants?
A) Decrease dopamine synthesis
B) Increase neuronal synaptic levels of monoamine neurotransmitters
C) Promote neuron degeneration
D) Reduce norepinephrine receptor activity
Answer: B
,EXPLANATION: Antidepressants function by increasing synaptic concentrations of neurotransmitters like
serotonin and norepinephrine.
Question 4:
If there are more receptors than neurotransmitters, what occurs?
A) Enhanced neurotransmission
B) Desensitization of neurons
C) Ineffective neurotransmission due to depletion
D) Normal brain function
Answer: C
EXPLANATION: Neurotransmitters fail to function properly when receptors outnumber them, leading to
inadequate signaling.
Question 5:
What happens in HPA system dysregulation in major depression?
A) Decreased cortisol levels
B) Excessive glucocorticoid secretion
C) Reduced serotonin production
D) Hypothalamic inactivity
Answer: B
EXPLANATION: Dysregulation of the HPA axis leads to increased glucocorticoid (cortisol) secretion in
depression.
Question 6:
Which neurotransmitter is significantly reduced in Alzheimer’s disease?
A) GABA
B) Acetylcholine
C) Dopamine
D) Glutamate
Answer: B
EXPLANATION: Acetylcholine levels are reduced in Alzheimer’s, contributing to memory impairment.
Question 7:
Which of the following best defines neurofibrillary tangles?
A) Dopamine-synthesizing enzymes
B) Abnormal clumps that block cerebrospinal fluid
C) Twisted fibers disrupting nutrient transport to neurons
D) Fat deposits in the brain
Answer: C
, EXPLANATION: Neurofibrillary tangles are twisted fibers inside neurons that disrupt cellular transport,
seen in Alzheimer's.
Question 8:
True or False: The most common cause of dementia is vascular disease.
Answer: False
EXPLANATION: Alzheimer's disease is the most common cause of dementia, not vascular disease.
Question 9:
Which best describes Parkinson’s Disease?
A) An autoimmune disorder
B) A metabolic bone disease
C) A chronic, progressive neurodegenerative motor disorder
D) A vascular condition
Answer: C
EXPLANATION: Parkinson’s is a chronic neurodegenerative disorder characterized by motor dysfunction.
Question 10:
Which brain structure is affected in Parkinson’s disease?
A) Hippocampus
B) Substantia nigra
C) Cerebellum
D) Amygdala
Answer: B
EXPLANATION: Parkinson's is associated with neuron loss in the substantia nigra, a key dopamine-
producing region.
Question 11:
Which symptom is not typical of Parkinson’s Disease?
A) Resting tremor
B) Muscle rigidity
C) Hyperactivity
D) Bradykinesia
Answer: C
EXPLANATION: Hyperactivity is not a Parkinsonian trait; it involves slowed movements and rigidity.
Question 12:
What are the two main categories of cerebrovascular accident (CVA)?
A) Thrombotic and embolic
