Chapter 14. Transmitter Release

  1. Which ion is absolutely necessary for neurotransmitter release?

    2. a. Sodium
    b. Potassium
    c. Chloride
    d. Calcium
  2. Synaptic delay is relatively short (~0.5 milliseconds)  because

    3. a. Calcium is a fast ion compared to sodium.
    b. The presynaptic calcium sensors are highly sensitive to calcium
    c. Voltage-sensitive calcium channels are very close to the release sites
    d. Transmitter release is proportional to extracellular calcium concentration to the 4th power
  3. The miniature end plate potential represents the action of one

    4. a. Neurotransmitter molecule
    b. Synaptic vesicle
    c. Active zone
    d. Axon
  4. Synaptic vesicle recycling occurs and is due to the formation of

    5. a. Clathrin-coated pits
    b. Fusion pores
    c. Calcium-calmodulin-dependent kinase
    d. All of the above
  5. Botulinum toxins can cleave

    6. a. SNAP-25
    b. VAMP
    c. Syntaxin
    d. All of the above
  6. Tetanus toxin cleaves

    7. a. SNAP-25
    b. VAMP
    c. Syntaxin
    d. All of the above
  7. All of the following are steps in the process of vesicular transmitter release except

    8. a. Restraint (mediated by synapsins)
    b. Targeting (mediated by Rab3A)
    c. Docking and priming at active zones (mediated by synaptobrevin, SNAP-25, syntaxin, synaptotagmin)
    d. Breakdown (mediated by acetylcholinesterase)
  8. Posttetanic potentiation is

    9. a. Thought to be caused by residual calcium
    b. Due to saturation of calcium buffers
    c. Different from long-term potentiation
    d. All of the above
  9. Which voltage-sensitive calcium channel is not known to be involved in neurotransmitter release

    10. a. L type
    b. N type
    c. P/Q type
    d. R type
  10. Axoaxonic synapses are thought to represent an effective way to

    11. a. Modulate neuronal excitability
    b . Modulate transmitter release
    c. Modulate glutamate receptor action
    d. Alter insertion of fusion pores into postsynaptic membranes


This is a take-home test due 10/30/01
A score of 80% or better is required.