Which of these is a neurotransmitter?
Monoamine oxidase
Cholinesterase
Acetylcholine (ACh)
Calcium
The Correct Answer is C
A) Monoamine oxidase:
Monoamine oxidase (MAO) is an enzyme, not a neurotransmitter. It is responsible for breaking down certain neurotransmitters, such as dopamine, serotonin, and norepinephrine, in the brain and other parts of the body. While it plays a crucial role in regulating neurotransmitter levels, it is not itself a neurotransmitter.
B) Cholinesterase:
Cholinesterase is also an enzyme, not a neurotransmitter. It breaks down acetylcholine (ACh) at synaptic junctions to terminate its action after it has transmitted a nerve impulse. This enzyme is important for the proper functioning of cholinergic synapses but does not function as a neurotransmitter.
C) Acetylcholine (ACh):
Acetylcholine (ACh) is a neurotransmitter. It is released by nerve cells at cholinergic synapses and plays a key role in both the peripheral and central nervous systems. ACh is involved in transmitting nerve impulses to muscles (muscle contraction) and is also important in cognitive functions like memory and learning in the brain.
D) Calcium:
Calcium is a vital ion involved in many cellular processes, including muscle contraction and neurotransmitter release. However, it is not a neurotransmitter. It plays a role in the function of neurotransmitters but does not act as one itself.
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is D
Explanation
A) CSF proteins and an angiography: While cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) analysis is a valuable diagnostic tool in multiple sclerosis (MS), angiography is not typically used in diagnosing MS. Angiography is primarily used to assess blood vessels and would not help in diagnosing a neurological condition like MS, which involves the central nervous system's myelin sheath.
B) Serum anti-acetylcholine antibodies and x-rays: Anti-acetylcholine antibodies are more relevant for diagnosing autoimmune conditions such as myasthenia gravis, not multiple sclerosis. Additionally, x-rays are not useful for diagnosing MS, as MS is primarily a disorder of the central nervous system, and x-rays are not effective in visualizing soft tissues or brain lesions associated with MS.
C) Serum albumin and a computed tomography (CT) scan: Serum albumin levels are not relevant for diagnosing MS. A CT scan may be used in some cases to rule out other conditions, but magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is more sensitive and specific for diagnosing MS. MRI is particularly effective in detecting the plaques or lesions in the brain and spinal cord that are characteristic of MS.
D) Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI): This is the correct combination of diagnostic tests for multiple sclerosis. CSF analysis can show elevated levels of immunoglobulin G (IgG) and oligoclonal bands, which are common in MS. MRI is the most sensitive imaging tool for detecting the characteristic plaques or demyelinated areas in the brain and spinal cord, which are hallmarks of MS. Therefore, this combination is the gold standard for confirming the diagnosis of MS.
Correct Answer is C
Explanation
A) GABA-ergic:
GABA-ergic neurons use gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) as their neurotransmitter, not acetylcholine (ACh). GABA is the main inhibitory neurotransmitter in the brain, playing a crucial role in reducing neuronal excitability.
B) Dopaminergic:
Dopaminergic neurons release dopamine as their neurotransmitter. Dopamine is involved in several critical functions, including movement, reward, and regulation of mood. Since acetylcholine is not involved in dopaminergic transmission, this is not the correct answer.
C) Cholinergic:
Cholinergic neurons use acetylcholine (ACh) as their neurotransmitter. These neurons are involved in many functions, including muscle activation (in the somatic nervous system), as well as modulating parasympathetic responses in the autonomic nervous system.
D) Serotonergic:
Serotonergic neurons release serotonin (5-HT), which is a neurotransmitter involved in regulating mood, appetite, sleep, and other functions. Acetylcholine is not involved in serotonergic transmission
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