Question 1 For the question, we will assume that when nerve 1 and nerve 4 are active, the effect of nerve 4 dominates on nerve 2, that is, nerve 4 overrides nerve 1.

In a normal person doing a repetitive task, 

minute 1 both nerve 1 and nerve 4 are inactive, that is, both are not releasing their neurotransmitter

minute 2 nerve 1 is inactive but nerve 4 is active

minute 3 nerve 1 is active but nerve 4 is inactive

minute 4 both nerve 1 and nerve 4 are active, that is, both are releasing their neurotransmitter

1A.Which minute(s) is/are cell 3 producing its effect? Explain your reasoning. 

1B. A patient has a disease where the synaptic space between nerve 4 and nerve 2 is extra large so that, when the normal amount of C is release when nerve 4 is active, no C gets to the C receptor on nerve 2.  At which time(s) does is the patient response different from the normal response? Explain your reasoning.

1C. Pick 1 time when the patient response is different from the normal response.

What drug action on steps involving A would make the patient’s response closer to normal AT THAT TIME? Explain your reasoning.

Tell me which step the drug affects and whether it inhibits or activates that step.

The possible drug steps are: 

A release

A breakdown/elimination/removal

A receptor activation.

1D.

Pick 1 time when the patient response is different from the normal response.

What drug action on steps involving B would make the patient’s response closer to normal AT THAT TIME? Explain your reasoning.

Tell me which step the drug affects and whether it inhibits or activates that step. 

You must pick a different step than used for A.

The possible drug steps are: 

B release

B breakdown/elimination/removal

B receptor activation.

1E. Pick 1 time when the patient response is different from the normal response.

What drug action on steps involving C would make the patient’s response closer to normal AT THAT TIME? Explain your reasoning.

Tell me which step the drug affects and whether it inhibits or activates that step.

You must pick a different step than used for A and B.

The possible drug steps are: 

C release

C breakdown/elimination/removal

C receptor activation.

NERVE SEQUENCE for question 1. 

Nerve 1 releases A which activates nerve 2 by binding to A receptors on nerve 2. 

Nerve 2 releases B which activates cell 3 by binding to B receptors on cell 3.

When cell 3 is activated, we have an effect. 

Nerve 4 releases C which inhibits nerve 2 by binding to C receptors on nerve 2.

A is eliminated from the synapse by protein AE.  

B is eliminated from the synapse by protein BE.

C is eliminated from the synapse by protein CE.

FYI, the 2 general ways to eliminate a neurotransmitter are with an enzyme to break down the neurotransmitter or a protein to transport the neurotransmitter into a cell. 

For the question, we will assume that when nerve 1 and nerve 4 are active, the effect of nerve 4 dominates on nerve 2, that is, nerve 4 overrides nerve 1.