Neuronal Communication
Serotonin transporter
Neurotransmitters
Brain anatomy
Potpourri
100

The resting membrane potential of an axon at rest is this many millivolts. 

What is -70mV? 

100

The serotonin transporter is a protein encoded by this gene. 

What is SLC6A4? 

100

This neurotransmitter, known as the "feel-good" hormone, plays a role in motivation and pleasure. 

What is dopamine? 

100

This area of the brain is responsible for basic functions such as heart rate, breathing, and involuntary reflexes (sneezing, coughing, etc). 

What is the hindbrain? 

100

The sodium-potassium pump uses this molecule as an energy source to transport 3 sodium ions out of the cell and 2 potassium ions into the cells. 

What is ATP? 

200

Neurotransmitters are released into this area between the presynaptic and postsynaptic membranes. 

What is the synaptic cleft? 

200

This degenerate repeat sequence in the promoter of the serotonin transporter gene has a short and long variant that are associated with mood disorders. 

What is 5-HTTLPR? 

200

This category of neurotransmitters, whose structure must contain an amine group, includes molecules such as serotonin, dopamine, and norepinephrine. 

What are monoamines? 

200

This cluster of brain structures consisting of the amygdala, hippocampus, and hypothalamus is located in the temporal lobe and controls emotion. 

What is the limbic system? 

200

This type of interaction refers to when different genotypes respond differently to variation in the environment. 

What is gene x environment (GxE) interaction? 

300

The initial sharp rise in membrane potential in the first stage of an action potential is due to the opening of this channel and the corresponding influx of this ion. 

What is sodium? 

300

The serotonin transporter uses this energy source to transport serotonin from outside the cell into the cell. 

What is a concentration gradient? 

(Established by the sodium-potassium pump!) 

300

This neurotransmitter is the most common inhibitory neurotransmitter in the central nervous system and promotes sleep and calms anxiety. 

What is GABA? 

300

A patient with a defect in this lobe of the forebrain would be unable to replicate 3D shapes due to lack of spatial perception. 

What is the parietal lobe? 

300

SSRIs are a type of medication often prescribed for mood disorders, and function by increasing the amount of serotonin in the synaptic cleft via this process. 

What is reuptake inhibition? 

400

The migration of vesicles packaged with neurotransmitters towards the pre-synaptic cell membrane is triggered by this ion. 

What is calcium (Ca2+)? 

400

People with this variant in the 5-HTTLPR region have decreased levels of serotonin transporter protein transcription. 

What is the short variant? 

400

This excitatory neurotransmitter which plays a key role in learning and memory is also a precursor to GABA. 

What is glutamate? 

400

A person who can understand language but cannot form speech to respond to language has this condition. 

What is Broca's aphasia?

400

This area of the brain controls feelings of reward or pleasure, and plays a role in addictive behaviors. 

What is the basal ganglia? 

(What is the nucleus accumbens?) 

500

During the hyperpolarization stage of an action potential, sodium channels are in this state.

What is inactivated? 

500

Individuals with the 5-HTTLPR short variant show greater reaction to negative stimuli in this area of the brain. 

What is the amygdala? 

500

This neurotransmitter is a 36-amino acid neuropeptide that contributes to several functions, including sleep, appetite, and anxiety reduction. 

What is neuropeptide Y? 

500

Slicing the brain into two halves by severing through the corpus callosum results in a slice on this plane of the brain. 

What is the saggital plane?  

500

According to recent research, this cluster of neurons plays a role in perceiving acute vs chronic social isolation. 

What are P2 neurons?