Medical Pharmacology:
Serotonin Pharmacology Practice Questions
Choose the correct answer for each question.
The "autocoids" consist of which one(s) of the following?
Histamine
Serotonin
Endogenous peptides
Leukotrienes
Cytokines
Prostaglandins
A & B
D & E
All of the above (A, B, C, D, E & F)
Shared characteristics of serotonin and histamine:
Biologically active amines
Neurotransmitter function
Localized in neural and nonneural tissue
A & B
B & C
A & C
A, B & C
Serotonin and histamine are useful in clinical management of a variety of diseases.
True
False
Serotonin:
Synthesized from the amino acid L-tryptophan
Synthesis involves both a hydroxylation and a decarboxylation step
The rate limiting step for serotonin synthesis is the enzymatic hydroxylation, catalyzed by tryptophan hydroxylase-1
A & B
B & C
A, B & C
Despite identification of tryptophan hydroxylase-1 is the rate determining step in serotonin synthesis, no drug has been approved for clinical treatment based on inhibition of this enzyme.
True
False
Characteristic(s) of serotonin:
Serotonin may be stored in vesicles or is subject to enzymatic inactivation.
Serotonin in the pineal gland functions as a melatonin precursor.
Both
Neither
Characteristic(s) of serotonin:
Most of the serotonin found in humans is localized in the gastrointestinal tract, specifically in enterochromaffin cells.
Serotonin is concentrated at serotonergic nerve endings and in platelets utilizing an active serotonin transporter system, abbreviated SERT.
Both
Neither
Translocation of serotonin nerve ending to the nerve ending vesicleis mediated by VAT (vesicle-associated transporter) which can be blocked by the drug reserpine.
True
False
Brain serotonergic neurons
is/are involved in:
Mood
Sleep
Temperature regulation
A & B
B & C
A, B & C
Serotonin,initially metabolized by MAO, undergoes a subsequent oxidation step to 5-HIAA. A measure of serotonin synthesis is reflected in urinary 5-HIAA levels.
