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Neurotransmitter & Drug Class Summary
Chart Advanced Psychopharmacology &
Neurobiology | Galen College of Nursing
(Graduate Program) Updated 2025 |
Comprehensive Reference Guide
Q1. Which neurotransmitter is the primary excitatory
neurotransmitter in the central nervous system?
a) GABA
b) Glycine
c) Glutamate
d) Serotonin
Answer: c
Rationale: Glutamate is the main excitatory neurotransmitter,
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acting on AMPA, NMDA, and kainate receptors. GABA is the
main inhibitory neurotransmitter.
Q2. The primary inhibitory neurotransmitter in the CNS is:
a) Glutamate
b) Acetylcholine
c) GABA (gamma-aminobutyric acid)
d) Dopamine
Answer: c
Rationale: GABA is the principal inhibitory neurotransmitter; it
hyperpolarizes neurons via GABAA (ionotropic) and GABAB
(metabotropic) receptors.
Q3. Which receptor subtype is ionotropic (ligand-gated ion
channel) and mediates fast excitatory transmission?
a) GABAA
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b) AMPA (a type of glutamate receptor)
c) Muscarinic acetylcholine receptor
d) Dopamine D2
Answer: b
Rationale: AMPA receptors are ionotropic glutamate receptors
that mediate fast depolarization. GABAA is ionotropic but
inhibitory.
Q4. The NMDA receptor is unique because it requires:
a) Only glutamate binding
b) Both glutamate binding and membrane depolarization to
relieve Mg²⁺ block
c) Only glycine binding
d) Only membrane depolarization
Answer: b
Rationale: NMDA receptors are voltage-dependent; at resting
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potential, Mg²⁺ blocks the channel. Depolarization (via AMPA
receptors) expels Mg²⁺, allowing Ca²⁺ influx.
Q5. Which neurotransmitter is synthesized from tyrosine and is a
precursor to norepinephrine and epinephrine?
a) Serotonin
b) Dopamine
c) Acetylcholine
d) GABA
Answer: b
Rationale: Tyrosine → L-DOPA → dopamine → norepinephrine
→ epinephrine. Dopamine is a catecholamine.
Q6. The enzyme responsible for converting dopamine to
norepinephrine is:
Neurotransmitter & Drug Class Summary
Chart Advanced Psychopharmacology &
Neurobiology | Galen College of Nursing
(Graduate Program) Updated 2025 |
Comprehensive Reference Guide
Q1. Which neurotransmitter is the primary excitatory
neurotransmitter in the central nervous system?
a) GABA
b) Glycine
c) Glutamate
d) Serotonin
Answer: c
Rationale: Glutamate is the main excitatory neurotransmitter,
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acting on AMPA, NMDA, and kainate receptors. GABA is the
main inhibitory neurotransmitter.
Q2. The primary inhibitory neurotransmitter in the CNS is:
a) Glutamate
b) Acetylcholine
c) GABA (gamma-aminobutyric acid)
d) Dopamine
Answer: c
Rationale: GABA is the principal inhibitory neurotransmitter; it
hyperpolarizes neurons via GABAA (ionotropic) and GABAB
(metabotropic) receptors.
Q3. Which receptor subtype is ionotropic (ligand-gated ion
channel) and mediates fast excitatory transmission?
a) GABAA
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b) AMPA (a type of glutamate receptor)
c) Muscarinic acetylcholine receptor
d) Dopamine D2
Answer: b
Rationale: AMPA receptors are ionotropic glutamate receptors
that mediate fast depolarization. GABAA is ionotropic but
inhibitory.
Q4. The NMDA receptor is unique because it requires:
a) Only glutamate binding
b) Both glutamate binding and membrane depolarization to
relieve Mg²⁺ block
c) Only glycine binding
d) Only membrane depolarization
Answer: b
Rationale: NMDA receptors are voltage-dependent; at resting
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potential, Mg²⁺ blocks the channel. Depolarization (via AMPA
receptors) expels Mg²⁺, allowing Ca²⁺ influx.
Q5. Which neurotransmitter is synthesized from tyrosine and is a
precursor to norepinephrine and epinephrine?
a) Serotonin
b) Dopamine
c) Acetylcholine
d) GABA
Answer: b
Rationale: Tyrosine → L-DOPA → dopamine → norepinephrine
→ epinephrine. Dopamine is a catecholamine.
Q6. The enzyme responsible for converting dopamine to
norepinephrine is:
