44 Chapter 5: Discussion Questions / Chapter Assignments

Chapter 5 questions

1. Can electrical synapses be found in humans? If so, what is their purpose? Why do we not spend as much time discussing electrical synapses as we spend discussing chemical synapses?
2. What is unique about the neuromuscular junction in comparison to other chemical synapses we discuss?
3. Can you find another source that explains the loading of vesicles in a clear way? If so, please post to the class Question and Answer Forum on Moodle. If not, can you create your own explanation that is both accurate and clear?
4. Compare and contrast ionotropic and metabotropic receptors. You might use any strategy that works for you – a table, a Venn diagram, or a paragraph.
5. Although the activation of G_αs and G_αq receptors are depicted in figures, that of G_αi is not. Design your own figure to show what happens when G_αi receptors are activated.
6. Evaluate Figure 5.14. What is clearly depicted? Is there anything that is not clearly depicted?
7. Of the 100+ neurotransmitters that have been discovered, we discussed 6 common neurotransmitters and 3 atypical neurotransmitters in this chapter. What did you already know? What did you learn? What do all neurotransmitters have in common in terms of production and release? What makes the 9 neurotransmitters discussed here unique from each other?
8. Design a crossword puzzle about the neurotransmitter information discussed in this chapter. Have 12-15 words in the puzzle and be sure at least 1/3 of your words represent slightly difficult information. Share your crossword puzzle with members of a small group. Give feedback to each other about the clarity of the clues and the accuracy of the answers.