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Directions: Read the Passage carefully and answer the question as follow.
Caffeine, the stimulant in coffee, has been called
“the most widely used psychoactive substance on Earth .”
Synder, Daly and Bruns have recently proposed that
caffeine affects behavior by countering the activity in
(5) the human brain of a naturally occurring chemical called
adenosine. Adenosine normally depresses neuron firing
in many areas of the brain. It apparently does this by
inhibiting the release of neurotransmitters, chemicals
that carry nerve impulses from one neuron to the next.
(10) Like many other agents that affect neuron firing,
adenosine must first bind to specific receptors on
neuronal membranes. There are at least two classes
of these receptors, which have been designated A1 and
A2. Snyder et al propose that caffeine, which is struc-
(15) turally similar to adenosine, is able to bind to both types
of receptors, which prevents adenosine from attaching
there and allows the neurons to fire more readily than
they otherwise would.For many years, caffeine’s effects have been attri-
(20) buted to its inhibition of the production of phosphodi-
esterase, an enzyme that breaks down the chemical
called cyclic AMP.A number of neurotransmitters exert
their effects by first increasing cyclic AMP concentra-
tions in target neurons. Therefore, prolonged periods at
(25) the elevated concentrations, as might be brought about
by a phosphodiesterase inhibitor, could lead to a greater
amount of neuron firing and, consequently, to behav-
ioral stimulation. But Snyder et al point out that the
caffeine concentrations needed to inhibit the production
(30) of phosphodiesterase in the brain are much higher than
those that produce stimulation. Moreover, other com-
pounds that block phosphodiesterase’s activity are not
stimulants.
To buttress their case that caffeine acts instead by pre-
(35) venting adenosine binding, Snyder et al compared the
stimulatory effects of a series of caffeine derivatives with
their ability to dislodge adenosine from its receptors in
the brains of mice. “In general,” they reported, “the
ability of the compounds to compete at the receptors
(40) correlates with their ability to stimulate locomotion in
the mouse; i.e., the higher their capacity to bind at the
receptors, the higher their ability to stimulate locomo-
tion.” Theophylline, a close structural relative of caffeine
and the major stimulant in tea, was one of the most
(45) effective compounds in both regards.
There were some apparent exceptions to the general
correlation observed between adenosine-receptor binding
and stimulation. One of these was a compound called
3-isobuty1-1-methylxanthine(IBMX), which bound very
(50) well but actually depressed mouse locomotion. Snyder
et al suggest that this is not a major stumbling block to
their hypothesis. The problem is that the compound has
mixed effects in the brain, a not unusual occurrence with
psychoactive drugs. Even caffeine, which is generally
(55) known only for its stimulatory effects, displays this
property, depressing mouse locomotion at very low
concentrations and stimulating it at higher ones.
“the most widely used psychoactive substance on Earth .”
Synder, Daly and Bruns have recently proposed that
caffeine affects behavior by countering the activity in
(5) the human brain of a naturally occurring chemical called
adenosine. Adenosine normally depresses neuron firing
in many areas of the brain. It apparently does this by
inhibiting the release of neurotransmitters, chemicals
that carry nerve impulses from one neuron to the next.
(10) Like many other agents that affect neuron firing,
adenosine must first bind to specific receptors on
neuronal membranes. There are at least two classes
of these receptors, which have been designated A1 and
A2. Snyder et al propose that caffeine, which is struc-
(15) turally similar to adenosine, is able to bind to both types
of receptors, which prevents adenosine from attaching
there and allows the neurons to fire more readily than
they otherwise would.For many years, caffeine’s effects have been attri-
(20) buted to its inhibition of the production of phosphodi-
esterase, an enzyme that breaks down the chemical
called cyclic AMP.A number of neurotransmitters exert
their effects by first increasing cyclic AMP concentra-
tions in target neurons. Therefore, prolonged periods at
(25) the elevated concentrations, as might be brought about
by a phosphodiesterase inhibitor, could lead to a greater
amount of neuron firing and, consequently, to behav-
ioral stimulation. But Snyder et al point out that the
caffeine concentrations needed to inhibit the production
(30) of phosphodiesterase in the brain are much higher than
those that produce stimulation. Moreover, other com-
pounds that block phosphodiesterase’s activity are not
stimulants.
To buttress their case that caffeine acts instead by pre-
(35) venting adenosine binding, Snyder et al compared the
stimulatory effects of a series of caffeine derivatives with
their ability to dislodge adenosine from its receptors in
the brains of mice. “In general,” they reported, “the
ability of the compounds to compete at the receptors
(40) correlates with their ability to stimulate locomotion in
the mouse; i.e., the higher their capacity to bind at the
receptors, the higher their ability to stimulate locomo-
tion.” Theophylline, a close structural relative of caffeine
and the major stimulant in tea, was one of the most
(45) effective compounds in both regards.
There were some apparent exceptions to the general
correlation observed between adenosine-receptor binding
and stimulation. One of these was a compound called
3-isobuty1-1-methylxanthine(IBMX), which bound very
(50) well but actually depressed mouse locomotion. Snyder
et al suggest that this is not a major stumbling block to
their hypothesis. The problem is that the compound has
mixed effects in the brain, a not unusual occurrence with
psychoactive drugs. Even caffeine, which is generally
(55) known only for its stimulatory effects, displays this
property, depressing mouse locomotion at very low
concentrations and stimulating it at higher ones.
Q. Snyder et al suggest that caffeine’s ability to bind to A1 and A2 receptors can be at least partially attributed to which of the following?
(a) The chemical relationship between caffeine and phosphodiesterase
(b) The structural relationship between caffeine and adenosine
(c) The structural similarity between caffeine and neurotransmitters
(d) The ability of caffeine to stimulate behavior
(e) The natural occurrence of caffeine and adenosine in the brain
(a) The chemical relationship between caffeine and phosphodiesterase
(b) The structural relationship between caffeine and adenosine
(c) The structural similarity between caffeine and neurotransmitters
(d) The ability of caffeine to stimulate behavior
(e) The natural occurrence of caffeine and adenosine in the brain
- a)The chemical relationship between caffeine and phosphodiesterase
- b)The structural relationship between caffeine and adenosine
- c)The structural similarity between caffeine and neurotransmitters
- d)The ability of caffeine to stimulate behavior
- e)The natural occurrence of caffeine and adenosine in the brain
Correct answer is option 'B'. Can you explain this answer?
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Most Upvoted Answer
Directions: Read the Passage carefully and answer the question as foll...
B is the best answer.
This question asks you to identify information that is suggested rather than directly stated in the passage. To answer it, first look for the location in the passage of the information specified in the question. The A1 and A2 receptors are mentioned in lines 23-26. Lines 27-35 go on to describe Snyder et al’s hypothesis about the effects of caffeine on behavior. They propose that caffeine, “which is structurally similar to adenosine,” is able to bind to A1 and A2 receptors in the brain, the same receptors that adenosine normally binds to. Thus, the passage suggests that the structural relationship between caffeine and adenosine may be partially responsible for caffeine’s ability to bind to A1 and A2 receptors.
This question asks you to identify information that is suggested rather than directly stated in the passage. To answer it, first look for the location in the passage of the information specified in the question. The A1 and A2 receptors are mentioned in lines 23-26. Lines 27-35 go on to describe Snyder et al’s hypothesis about the effects of caffeine on behavior. They propose that caffeine, “which is structurally similar to adenosine,” is able to bind to A1 and A2 receptors in the brain, the same receptors that adenosine normally binds to. Thus, the passage suggests that the structural relationship between caffeine and adenosine may be partially responsible for caffeine’s ability to bind to A1 and A2 receptors.
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Community Answer
Directions: Read the Passage carefully and answer the question as foll...
B is the best answer.
This question asks you to identify information that is suggested rather than directly stated in the passage. To answer it, first look for the location in the passage of the information specified in the question. The A1 and A2 receptors are mentioned in lines 23-26. Lines 27-35 go on to describe Snyder et al’s hypothesis about the effects of caffeine on behavior. They propose that caffeine, “which is structurally similar to adenosine,” is able to bind to A1 and A2 receptors in the brain, the same receptors that adenosine normally binds to. Thus, the passage suggests that the structural relationship between caffeine and adenosine may be partially responsible for caffeine’s ability to bind to A1 and A2 receptors.
This question asks you to identify information that is suggested rather than directly stated in the passage. To answer it, first look for the location in the passage of the information specified in the question. The A1 and A2 receptors are mentioned in lines 23-26. Lines 27-35 go on to describe Snyder et al’s hypothesis about the effects of caffeine on behavior. They propose that caffeine, “which is structurally similar to adenosine,” is able to bind to A1 and A2 receptors in the brain, the same receptors that adenosine normally binds to. Thus, the passage suggests that the structural relationship between caffeine and adenosine may be partially responsible for caffeine’s ability to bind to A1 and A2 receptors.
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Directions: Read the Passage carefully and answer the question as follow.Caffeine, the stimulant in coffee, has been called“the most widely used psychoactive substance on Earth .”Synder, Daly and Bruns have recently proposed thatcaffeine affects behavior by countering the activity in(5) the human brain of a naturally occurring chemical calledadenosine. Adenosine normally depresses neuron firingin many areas of the brain. It apparently does this byinhibiting the release of neurotransmitters, chemicalsthat carry nerve impulses from one neuron to the next.(10) Like many other agents that affect neuron firing,adenosine must first bind to specific receptors onneuronal membranes. There are at least two classesof these receptors, which have been designated A1 andA2. Snyder et al propose that caffeine, which is struc-(15) turally similar to adenosine, is able to bind to both typesof receptors, which prevents adenosine from attachingthere and allows the neurons to fire more readily thanthey otherwise would.For many years, caffeine’s effects have been attri-(20) buted to its inhibition of the production of phosphodi-esterase, an enzyme that breaks down the chemicalcalled cyclic AMP.A number of neurotransmitters exerttheir effects by first increasing cyclic AMP concentra-tions in target neurons. Therefore, prolonged periods at(25) the elevated concentrations, as might be brought aboutby a phosphodiesterase inhibitor, could lead to a greateramount of neuron firing and, consequently, to behav-ioral stimulation. But Snyder et al point out that thecaffeine concentrations needed to inhibit the production(30) of phosphodiesterase in the brain are much higher thanthose that produce stimulation. Moreover, other com-pounds that block phosphodiesterase’s activity are notstimulants.To buttress their case that caffeine acts instead by pre-(35) venting adenosine binding, Snyder et al compared thestimulatory effects of a series of caffeine derivatives withtheir ability to dislodge adenosine from its receptors inthe brains of mice. “In general,” they reported, “theability of the compounds to compete at the receptors(40) correlates with their ability to stimulate locomotion inthe mouse; i.e., the higher their capacity to bind at thereceptors, the higher their ability to stimulate locomo-tion.” Theophylline, a close structural relative of caffeineand the major stimulant in tea, was one of the most(45) effective compounds in both regards.There were some apparent exceptions to the generalcorrelation observed between adenosine-receptor bindingand stimulation. One of these was a compound called3-isobuty1-1-methylxanthine(IBMX), which bound very(50) well but actually depressed mouse locomotion. Snyderet al suggest that this is not a major stumbling block totheir hypothesis. The problem is that the compound hasmixed effects in the brain, a not unusual occurrence withpsychoactive drugs. Even caffeine, which is generally(55) known only for its stimulatory effects, displays thisproperty, depressing mouse locomotion at very low concentrations and stimulating it at higher ones.Q.Snyder et al suggest that caffeine’s ability to bind to A1 and A2 receptors can be at least partially attributed to which of the following?(a) The chemical relationship between caffeine and phosphodiesterase(b) The structural relationship between caffeine and adenosine(c) The structural similarity between caffeine and neurotransmitters(d) The ability of caffeine to stimulate behavior(e) The natural occurrence of caffeine and adenosine in the braina)The chemical relationship between caffeine and phosphodiesteraseb)The structural relationship between caffeine and adenosinec)The structural similarity between caffeine and neurotransmittersd)The ability of caffeine to stimulate behaviore)The natural occurrence of caffeine and adenosine in the brainCorrect answer is option 'B'. Can you explain this answer?
Question Description
Directions: Read the Passage carefully and answer the question as follow.Caffeine, the stimulant in coffee, has been called“the most widely used psychoactive substance on Earth .”Synder, Daly and Bruns have recently proposed thatcaffeine affects behavior by countering the activity in(5) the human brain of a naturally occurring chemical calledadenosine. Adenosine normally depresses neuron firingin many areas of the brain. It apparently does this byinhibiting the release of neurotransmitters, chemicalsthat carry nerve impulses from one neuron to the next.(10) Like many other agents that affect neuron firing,adenosine must first bind to specific receptors onneuronal membranes. There are at least two classesof these receptors, which have been designated A1 andA2. Snyder et al propose that caffeine, which is struc-(15) turally similar to adenosine, is able to bind to both typesof receptors, which prevents adenosine from attachingthere and allows the neurons to fire more readily thanthey otherwise would.For many years, caffeine’s effects have been attri-(20) buted to its inhibition of the production of phosphodi-esterase, an enzyme that breaks down the chemicalcalled cyclic AMP.A number of neurotransmitters exerttheir effects by first increasing cyclic AMP concentra-tions in target neurons. Therefore, prolonged periods at(25) the elevated concentrations, as might be brought aboutby a phosphodiesterase inhibitor, could lead to a greateramount of neuron firing and, consequently, to behav-ioral stimulation. But Snyder et al point out that thecaffeine concentrations needed to inhibit the production(30) of phosphodiesterase in the brain are much higher thanthose that produce stimulation. Moreover, other com-pounds that block phosphodiesterase’s activity are notstimulants.To buttress their case that caffeine acts instead by pre-(35) venting adenosine binding, Snyder et al compared thestimulatory effects of a series of caffeine derivatives withtheir ability to dislodge adenosine from its receptors inthe brains of mice. “In general,” they reported, “theability of the compounds to compete at the receptors(40) correlates with their ability to stimulate locomotion inthe mouse; i.e., the higher their capacity to bind at thereceptors, the higher their ability to stimulate locomo-tion.” Theophylline, a close structural relative of caffeineand the major stimulant in tea, was one of the most(45) effective compounds in both regards.There were some apparent exceptions to the generalcorrelation observed between adenosine-receptor bindingand stimulation. One of these was a compound called3-isobuty1-1-methylxanthine(IBMX), which bound very(50) well but actually depressed mouse locomotion. Snyderet al suggest that this is not a major stumbling block totheir hypothesis. The problem is that the compound hasmixed effects in the brain, a not unusual occurrence withpsychoactive drugs. Even caffeine, which is generally(55) known only for its stimulatory effects, displays thisproperty, depressing mouse locomotion at very low concentrations and stimulating it at higher ones.Q.Snyder et al suggest that caffeine’s ability to bind to A1 and A2 receptors can be at least partially attributed to which of the following?(a) The chemical relationship between caffeine and phosphodiesterase(b) The structural relationship between caffeine and adenosine(c) The structural similarity between caffeine and neurotransmitters(d) The ability of caffeine to stimulate behavior(e) The natural occurrence of caffeine and adenosine in the braina)The chemical relationship between caffeine and phosphodiesteraseb)The structural relationship between caffeine and adenosinec)The structural similarity between caffeine and neurotransmittersd)The ability of caffeine to stimulate behaviore)The natural occurrence of caffeine and adenosine in the brainCorrect answer is option 'B'. Can you explain this answer? for GMAT 2024 is part of GMAT preparation. The Question and answers have been prepared according to the GMAT exam syllabus. Information about Directions: Read the Passage carefully and answer the question as follow.Caffeine, the stimulant in coffee, has been called“the most widely used psychoactive substance on Earth .”Synder, Daly and Bruns have recently proposed thatcaffeine affects behavior by countering the activity in(5) the human brain of a naturally occurring chemical calledadenosine. Adenosine normally depresses neuron firingin many areas of the brain. It apparently does this byinhibiting the release of neurotransmitters, chemicalsthat carry nerve impulses from one neuron to the next.(10) Like many other agents that affect neuron firing,adenosine must first bind to specific receptors onneuronal membranes. There are at least two classesof these receptors, which have been designated A1 andA2. Snyder et al propose that caffeine, which is struc-(15) turally similar to adenosine, is able to bind to both typesof receptors, which prevents adenosine from attachingthere and allows the neurons to fire more readily thanthey otherwise would.For many years, caffeine’s effects have been attri-(20) buted to its inhibition of the production of phosphodi-esterase, an enzyme that breaks down the chemicalcalled cyclic AMP.A number of neurotransmitters exerttheir effects by first increasing cyclic AMP concentra-tions in target neurons. Therefore, prolonged periods at(25) the elevated concentrations, as might be brought aboutby a phosphodiesterase inhibitor, could lead to a greateramount of neuron firing and, consequently, to behav-ioral stimulation. But Snyder et al point out that thecaffeine concentrations needed to inhibit the production(30) of phosphodiesterase in the brain are much higher thanthose that produce stimulation. Moreover, other com-pounds that block phosphodiesterase’s activity are notstimulants.To buttress their case that caffeine acts instead by pre-(35) venting adenosine binding, Snyder et al compared thestimulatory effects of a series of caffeine derivatives withtheir ability to dislodge adenosine from its receptors inthe brains of mice. “In general,” they reported, “theability of the compounds to compete at the receptors(40) correlates with their ability to stimulate locomotion inthe mouse; i.e., the higher their capacity to bind at thereceptors, the higher their ability to stimulate locomo-tion.” Theophylline, a close structural relative of caffeineand the major stimulant in tea, was one of the most(45) effective compounds in both regards.There were some apparent exceptions to the generalcorrelation observed between adenosine-receptor bindingand stimulation. One of these was a compound called3-isobuty1-1-methylxanthine(IBMX), which bound very(50) well but actually depressed mouse locomotion. Snyderet al suggest that this is not a major stumbling block totheir hypothesis. The problem is that the compound hasmixed effects in the brain, a not unusual occurrence withpsychoactive drugs. Even caffeine, which is generally(55) known only for its stimulatory effects, displays thisproperty, depressing mouse locomotion at very low concentrations and stimulating it at higher ones.Q.Snyder et al suggest that caffeine’s ability to bind to A1 and A2 receptors can be at least partially attributed to which of the following?(a) The chemical relationship between caffeine and phosphodiesterase(b) The structural relationship between caffeine and adenosine(c) The structural similarity between caffeine and neurotransmitters(d) The ability of caffeine to stimulate behavior(e) The natural occurrence of caffeine and adenosine in the braina)The chemical relationship between caffeine and phosphodiesteraseb)The structural relationship between caffeine and adenosinec)The structural similarity between caffeine and neurotransmittersd)The ability of caffeine to stimulate behaviore)The natural occurrence of caffeine and adenosine in the brainCorrect answer is option 'B'. Can you explain this answer? covers all topics & solutions for GMAT 2024 Exam. Find important definitions, questions, meanings, examples, exercises and tests below for Directions: Read the Passage carefully and answer the question as follow.Caffeine, the stimulant in coffee, has been called“the most widely used psychoactive substance on Earth .”Synder, Daly and Bruns have recently proposed thatcaffeine affects behavior by countering the activity in(5) the human brain of a naturally occurring chemical calledadenosine. Adenosine normally depresses neuron firingin many areas of the brain. It apparently does this byinhibiting the release of neurotransmitters, chemicalsthat carry nerve impulses from one neuron to the next.(10) Like many other agents that affect neuron firing,adenosine must first bind to specific receptors onneuronal membranes. There are at least two classesof these receptors, which have been designated A1 andA2. Snyder et al propose that caffeine, which is struc-(15) turally similar to adenosine, is able to bind to both typesof receptors, which prevents adenosine from attachingthere and allows the neurons to fire more readily thanthey otherwise would.For many years, caffeine’s effects have been attri-(20) buted to its inhibition of the production of phosphodi-esterase, an enzyme that breaks down the chemicalcalled cyclic AMP.A number of neurotransmitters exerttheir effects by first increasing cyclic AMP concentra-tions in target neurons. Therefore, prolonged periods at(25) the elevated concentrations, as might be brought aboutby a phosphodiesterase inhibitor, could lead to a greateramount of neuron firing and, consequently, to behav-ioral stimulation. But Snyder et al point out that thecaffeine concentrations needed to inhibit the production(30) of phosphodiesterase in the brain are much higher thanthose that produce stimulation. Moreover, other com-pounds that block phosphodiesterase’s activity are notstimulants.To buttress their case that caffeine acts instead by pre-(35) venting adenosine binding, Snyder et al compared thestimulatory effects of a series of caffeine derivatives withtheir ability to dislodge adenosine from its receptors inthe brains of mice. “In general,” they reported, “theability of the compounds to compete at the receptors(40) correlates with their ability to stimulate locomotion inthe mouse; i.e., the higher their capacity to bind at thereceptors, the higher their ability to stimulate locomo-tion.” Theophylline, a close structural relative of caffeineand the major stimulant in tea, was one of the most(45) effective compounds in both regards.There were some apparent exceptions to the generalcorrelation observed between adenosine-receptor bindingand stimulation. One of these was a compound called3-isobuty1-1-methylxanthine(IBMX), which bound very(50) well but actually depressed mouse locomotion. Snyderet al suggest that this is not a major stumbling block totheir hypothesis. The problem is that the compound hasmixed effects in the brain, a not unusual occurrence withpsychoactive drugs. Even caffeine, which is generally(55) known only for its stimulatory effects, displays thisproperty, depressing mouse locomotion at very low concentrations and stimulating it at higher ones.Q.Snyder et al suggest that caffeine’s ability to bind to A1 and A2 receptors can be at least partially attributed to which of the following?(a) The chemical relationship between caffeine and phosphodiesterase(b) The structural relationship between caffeine and adenosine(c) The structural similarity between caffeine and neurotransmitters(d) The ability of caffeine to stimulate behavior(e) The natural occurrence of caffeine and adenosine in the braina)The chemical relationship between caffeine and phosphodiesteraseb)The structural relationship between caffeine and adenosinec)The structural similarity between caffeine and neurotransmittersd)The ability of caffeine to stimulate behaviore)The natural occurrence of caffeine and adenosine in the brainCorrect answer is option 'B'. Can you explain this answer?.
Directions: Read the Passage carefully and answer the question as follow.Caffeine, the stimulant in coffee, has been called“the most widely used psychoactive substance on Earth .”Synder, Daly and Bruns have recently proposed thatcaffeine affects behavior by countering the activity in(5) the human brain of a naturally occurring chemical calledadenosine. Adenosine normally depresses neuron firingin many areas of the brain. It apparently does this byinhibiting the release of neurotransmitters, chemicalsthat carry nerve impulses from one neuron to the next.(10) Like many other agents that affect neuron firing,adenosine must first bind to specific receptors onneuronal membranes. There are at least two classesof these receptors, which have been designated A1 andA2. Snyder et al propose that caffeine, which is struc-(15) turally similar to adenosine, is able to bind to both typesof receptors, which prevents adenosine from attachingthere and allows the neurons to fire more readily thanthey otherwise would.For many years, caffeine’s effects have been attri-(20) buted to its inhibition of the production of phosphodi-esterase, an enzyme that breaks down the chemicalcalled cyclic AMP.A number of neurotransmitters exerttheir effects by first increasing cyclic AMP concentra-tions in target neurons. Therefore, prolonged periods at(25) the elevated concentrations, as might be brought aboutby a phosphodiesterase inhibitor, could lead to a greateramount of neuron firing and, consequently, to behav-ioral stimulation. But Snyder et al point out that thecaffeine concentrations needed to inhibit the production(30) of phosphodiesterase in the brain are much higher thanthose that produce stimulation. Moreover, other com-pounds that block phosphodiesterase’s activity are notstimulants.To buttress their case that caffeine acts instead by pre-(35) venting adenosine binding, Snyder et al compared thestimulatory effects of a series of caffeine derivatives withtheir ability to dislodge adenosine from its receptors inthe brains of mice. “In general,” they reported, “theability of the compounds to compete at the receptors(40) correlates with their ability to stimulate locomotion inthe mouse; i.e., the higher their capacity to bind at thereceptors, the higher their ability to stimulate locomo-tion.” Theophylline, a close structural relative of caffeineand the major stimulant in tea, was one of the most(45) effective compounds in both regards.There were some apparent exceptions to the generalcorrelation observed between adenosine-receptor bindingand stimulation. One of these was a compound called3-isobuty1-1-methylxanthine(IBMX), which bound very(50) well but actually depressed mouse locomotion. Snyderet al suggest that this is not a major stumbling block totheir hypothesis. The problem is that the compound hasmixed effects in the brain, a not unusual occurrence withpsychoactive drugs. Even caffeine, which is generally(55) known only for its stimulatory effects, displays thisproperty, depressing mouse locomotion at very low concentrations and stimulating it at higher ones.Q.Snyder et al suggest that caffeine’s ability to bind to A1 and A2 receptors can be at least partially attributed to which of the following?(a) The chemical relationship between caffeine and phosphodiesterase(b) The structural relationship between caffeine and adenosine(c) The structural similarity between caffeine and neurotransmitters(d) The ability of caffeine to stimulate behavior(e) The natural occurrence of caffeine and adenosine in the braina)The chemical relationship between caffeine and phosphodiesteraseb)The structural relationship between caffeine and adenosinec)The structural similarity between caffeine and neurotransmittersd)The ability of caffeine to stimulate behaviore)The natural occurrence of caffeine and adenosine in the brainCorrect answer is option 'B'. Can you explain this answer? for GMAT 2024 is part of GMAT preparation. The Question and answers have been prepared according to the GMAT exam syllabus. Information about Directions: Read the Passage carefully and answer the question as follow.Caffeine, the stimulant in coffee, has been called“the most widely used psychoactive substance on Earth .”Synder, Daly and Bruns have recently proposed thatcaffeine affects behavior by countering the activity in(5) the human brain of a naturally occurring chemical calledadenosine. Adenosine normally depresses neuron firingin many areas of the brain. It apparently does this byinhibiting the release of neurotransmitters, chemicalsthat carry nerve impulses from one neuron to the next.(10) Like many other agents that affect neuron firing,adenosine must first bind to specific receptors onneuronal membranes. There are at least two classesof these receptors, which have been designated A1 andA2. Snyder et al propose that caffeine, which is struc-(15) turally similar to adenosine, is able to bind to both typesof receptors, which prevents adenosine from attachingthere and allows the neurons to fire more readily thanthey otherwise would.For many years, caffeine’s effects have been attri-(20) buted to its inhibition of the production of phosphodi-esterase, an enzyme that breaks down the chemicalcalled cyclic AMP.A number of neurotransmitters exerttheir effects by first increasing cyclic AMP concentra-tions in target neurons. Therefore, prolonged periods at(25) the elevated concentrations, as might be brought aboutby a phosphodiesterase inhibitor, could lead to a greateramount of neuron firing and, consequently, to behav-ioral stimulation. But Snyder et al point out that thecaffeine concentrations needed to inhibit the production(30) of phosphodiesterase in the brain are much higher thanthose that produce stimulation. Moreover, other com-pounds that block phosphodiesterase’s activity are notstimulants.To buttress their case that caffeine acts instead by pre-(35) venting adenosine binding, Snyder et al compared thestimulatory effects of a series of caffeine derivatives withtheir ability to dislodge adenosine from its receptors inthe brains of mice. “In general,” they reported, “theability of the compounds to compete at the receptors(40) correlates with their ability to stimulate locomotion inthe mouse; i.e., the higher their capacity to bind at thereceptors, the higher their ability to stimulate locomo-tion.” Theophylline, a close structural relative of caffeineand the major stimulant in tea, was one of the most(45) effective compounds in both regards.There were some apparent exceptions to the generalcorrelation observed between adenosine-receptor bindingand stimulation. One of these was a compound called3-isobuty1-1-methylxanthine(IBMX), which bound very(50) well but actually depressed mouse locomotion. Snyderet al suggest that this is not a major stumbling block totheir hypothesis. The problem is that the compound hasmixed effects in the brain, a not unusual occurrence withpsychoactive drugs. Even caffeine, which is generally(55) known only for its stimulatory effects, displays thisproperty, depressing mouse locomotion at very low concentrations and stimulating it at higher ones.Q.Snyder et al suggest that caffeine’s ability to bind to A1 and A2 receptors can be at least partially attributed to which of the following?(a) The chemical relationship between caffeine and phosphodiesterase(b) The structural relationship between caffeine and adenosine(c) The structural similarity between caffeine and neurotransmitters(d) The ability of caffeine to stimulate behavior(e) The natural occurrence of caffeine and adenosine in the braina)The chemical relationship between caffeine and phosphodiesteraseb)The structural relationship between caffeine and adenosinec)The structural similarity between caffeine and neurotransmittersd)The ability of caffeine to stimulate behaviore)The natural occurrence of caffeine and adenosine in the brainCorrect answer is option 'B'. Can you explain this answer? covers all topics & solutions for GMAT 2024 Exam. Find important definitions, questions, meanings, examples, exercises and tests below for Directions: Read the Passage carefully and answer the question as follow.Caffeine, the stimulant in coffee, has been called“the most widely used psychoactive substance on Earth .”Synder, Daly and Bruns have recently proposed thatcaffeine affects behavior by countering the activity in(5) the human brain of a naturally occurring chemical calledadenosine. Adenosine normally depresses neuron firingin many areas of the brain. It apparently does this byinhibiting the release of neurotransmitters, chemicalsthat carry nerve impulses from one neuron to the next.(10) Like many other agents that affect neuron firing,adenosine must first bind to specific receptors onneuronal membranes. There are at least two classesof these receptors, which have been designated A1 andA2. Snyder et al propose that caffeine, which is struc-(15) turally similar to adenosine, is able to bind to both typesof receptors, which prevents adenosine from attachingthere and allows the neurons to fire more readily thanthey otherwise would.For many years, caffeine’s effects have been attri-(20) buted to its inhibition of the production of phosphodi-esterase, an enzyme that breaks down the chemicalcalled cyclic AMP.A number of neurotransmitters exerttheir effects by first increasing cyclic AMP concentra-tions in target neurons. Therefore, prolonged periods at(25) the elevated concentrations, as might be brought aboutby a phosphodiesterase inhibitor, could lead to a greateramount of neuron firing and, consequently, to behav-ioral stimulation. But Snyder et al point out that thecaffeine concentrations needed to inhibit the production(30) of phosphodiesterase in the brain are much higher thanthose that produce stimulation. Moreover, other com-pounds that block phosphodiesterase’s activity are notstimulants.To buttress their case that caffeine acts instead by pre-(35) venting adenosine binding, Snyder et al compared thestimulatory effects of a series of caffeine derivatives withtheir ability to dislodge adenosine from its receptors inthe brains of mice. “In general,” they reported, “theability of the compounds to compete at the receptors(40) correlates with their ability to stimulate locomotion inthe mouse; i.e., the higher their capacity to bind at thereceptors, the higher their ability to stimulate locomo-tion.” Theophylline, a close structural relative of caffeineand the major stimulant in tea, was one of the most(45) effective compounds in both regards.There were some apparent exceptions to the generalcorrelation observed between adenosine-receptor bindingand stimulation. One of these was a compound called3-isobuty1-1-methylxanthine(IBMX), which bound very(50) well but actually depressed mouse locomotion. Snyderet al suggest that this is not a major stumbling block totheir hypothesis. The problem is that the compound hasmixed effects in the brain, a not unusual occurrence withpsychoactive drugs. Even caffeine, which is generally(55) known only for its stimulatory effects, displays thisproperty, depressing mouse locomotion at very low concentrations and stimulating it at higher ones.Q.Snyder et al suggest that caffeine’s ability to bind to A1 and A2 receptors can be at least partially attributed to which of the following?(a) The chemical relationship between caffeine and phosphodiesterase(b) The structural relationship between caffeine and adenosine(c) The structural similarity between caffeine and neurotransmitters(d) The ability of caffeine to stimulate behavior(e) The natural occurrence of caffeine and adenosine in the braina)The chemical relationship between caffeine and phosphodiesteraseb)The structural relationship between caffeine and adenosinec)The structural similarity between caffeine and neurotransmittersd)The ability of caffeine to stimulate behaviore)The natural occurrence of caffeine and adenosine in the brainCorrect answer is option 'B'. Can you explain this answer?.
Solutions for Directions: Read the Passage carefully and answer the question as follow.Caffeine, the stimulant in coffee, has been called“the most widely used psychoactive substance on Earth .”Synder, Daly and Bruns have recently proposed thatcaffeine affects behavior by countering the activity in(5) the human brain of a naturally occurring chemical calledadenosine. Adenosine normally depresses neuron firingin many areas of the brain. It apparently does this byinhibiting the release of neurotransmitters, chemicalsthat carry nerve impulses from one neuron to the next.(10) Like many other agents that affect neuron firing,adenosine must first bind to specific receptors onneuronal membranes. There are at least two classesof these receptors, which have been designated A1 andA2. Snyder et al propose that caffeine, which is struc-(15) turally similar to adenosine, is able to bind to both typesof receptors, which prevents adenosine from attachingthere and allows the neurons to fire more readily thanthey otherwise would.For many years, caffeine’s effects have been attri-(20) buted to its inhibition of the production of phosphodi-esterase, an enzyme that breaks down the chemicalcalled cyclic AMP.A number of neurotransmitters exerttheir effects by first increasing cyclic AMP concentra-tions in target neurons. Therefore, prolonged periods at(25) the elevated concentrations, as might be brought aboutby a phosphodiesterase inhibitor, could lead to a greateramount of neuron firing and, consequently, to behav-ioral stimulation. But Snyder et al point out that thecaffeine concentrations needed to inhibit the production(30) of phosphodiesterase in the brain are much higher thanthose that produce stimulation. Moreover, other com-pounds that block phosphodiesterase’s activity are notstimulants.To buttress their case that caffeine acts instead by pre-(35) venting adenosine binding, Snyder et al compared thestimulatory effects of a series of caffeine derivatives withtheir ability to dislodge adenosine from its receptors inthe brains of mice. “In general,” they reported, “theability of the compounds to compete at the receptors(40) correlates with their ability to stimulate locomotion inthe mouse; i.e., the higher their capacity to bind at thereceptors, the higher their ability to stimulate locomo-tion.” Theophylline, a close structural relative of caffeineand the major stimulant in tea, was one of the most(45) effective compounds in both regards.There were some apparent exceptions to the generalcorrelation observed between adenosine-receptor bindingand stimulation. One of these was a compound called3-isobuty1-1-methylxanthine(IBMX), which bound very(50) well but actually depressed mouse locomotion. Snyderet al suggest that this is not a major stumbling block totheir hypothesis. The problem is that the compound hasmixed effects in the brain, a not unusual occurrence withpsychoactive drugs. Even caffeine, which is generally(55) known only for its stimulatory effects, displays thisproperty, depressing mouse locomotion at very low concentrations and stimulating it at higher ones.Q.Snyder et al suggest that caffeine’s ability to bind to A1 and A2 receptors can be at least partially attributed to which of the following?(a) The chemical relationship between caffeine and phosphodiesterase(b) The structural relationship between caffeine and adenosine(c) The structural similarity between caffeine and neurotransmitters(d) The ability of caffeine to stimulate behavior(e) The natural occurrence of caffeine and adenosine in the braina)The chemical relationship between caffeine and phosphodiesteraseb)The structural relationship between caffeine and adenosinec)The structural similarity between caffeine and neurotransmittersd)The ability of caffeine to stimulate behaviore)The natural occurrence of caffeine and adenosine in the brainCorrect answer is option 'B'. Can you explain this answer? in English & in Hindi are available as part of our courses for GMAT.
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Here you can find the meaning of Directions: Read the Passage carefully and answer the question as follow.Caffeine, the stimulant in coffee, has been called“the most widely used psychoactive substance on Earth .”Synder, Daly and Bruns have recently proposed thatcaffeine affects behavior by countering the activity in(5) the human brain of a naturally occurring chemical calledadenosine. Adenosine normally depresses neuron firingin many areas of the brain. It apparently does this byinhibiting the release of neurotransmitters, chemicalsthat carry nerve impulses from one neuron to the next.(10) Like many other agents that affect neuron firing,adenosine must first bind to specific receptors onneuronal membranes. There are at least two classesof these receptors, which have been designated A1 andA2. Snyder et al propose that caffeine, which is struc-(15) turally similar to adenosine, is able to bind to both typesof receptors, which prevents adenosine from attachingthere and allows the neurons to fire more readily thanthey otherwise would.For many years, caffeine’s effects have been attri-(20) buted to its inhibition of the production of phosphodi-esterase, an enzyme that breaks down the chemicalcalled cyclic AMP.A number of neurotransmitters exerttheir effects by first increasing cyclic AMP concentra-tions in target neurons. Therefore, prolonged periods at(25) the elevated concentrations, as might be brought aboutby a phosphodiesterase inhibitor, could lead to a greateramount of neuron firing and, consequently, to behav-ioral stimulation. But Snyder et al point out that thecaffeine concentrations needed to inhibit the production(30) of phosphodiesterase in the brain are much higher thanthose that produce stimulation. Moreover, other com-pounds that block phosphodiesterase’s activity are notstimulants.To buttress their case that caffeine acts instead by pre-(35) venting adenosine binding, Snyder et al compared thestimulatory effects of a series of caffeine derivatives withtheir ability to dislodge adenosine from its receptors inthe brains of mice. “In general,” they reported, “theability of the compounds to compete at the receptors(40) correlates with their ability to stimulate locomotion inthe mouse; i.e., the higher their capacity to bind at thereceptors, the higher their ability to stimulate locomo-tion.” Theophylline, a close structural relative of caffeineand the major stimulant in tea, was one of the most(45) effective compounds in both regards.There were some apparent exceptions to the generalcorrelation observed between adenosine-receptor bindingand stimulation. One of these was a compound called3-isobuty1-1-methylxanthine(IBMX), which bound very(50) well but actually depressed mouse locomotion. Snyderet al suggest that this is not a major stumbling block totheir hypothesis. The problem is that the compound hasmixed effects in the brain, a not unusual occurrence withpsychoactive drugs. Even caffeine, which is generally(55) known only for its stimulatory effects, displays thisproperty, depressing mouse locomotion at very low concentrations and stimulating it at higher ones.Q.Snyder et al suggest that caffeine’s ability to bind to A1 and A2 receptors can be at least partially attributed to which of the following?(a) The chemical relationship between caffeine and phosphodiesterase(b) The structural relationship between caffeine and adenosine(c) The structural similarity between caffeine and neurotransmitters(d) The ability of caffeine to stimulate behavior(e) The natural occurrence of caffeine and adenosine in the braina)The chemical relationship between caffeine and phosphodiesteraseb)The structural relationship between caffeine and adenosinec)The structural similarity between caffeine and neurotransmittersd)The ability of caffeine to stimulate behaviore)The natural occurrence of caffeine and adenosine in the brainCorrect answer is option 'B'. Can you explain this answer? defined & explained in the simplest way possible. Besides giving the explanation of
Directions: Read the Passage carefully and answer the question as follow.Caffeine, the stimulant in coffee, has been called“the most widely used psychoactive substance on Earth .”Synder, Daly and Bruns have recently proposed thatcaffeine affects behavior by countering the activity in(5) the human brain of a naturally occurring chemical calledadenosine. Adenosine normally depresses neuron firingin many areas of the brain. It apparently does this byinhibiting the release of neurotransmitters, chemicalsthat carry nerve impulses from one neuron to the next.(10) Like many other agents that affect neuron firing,adenosine must first bind to specific receptors onneuronal membranes. There are at least two classesof these receptors, which have been designated A1 andA2. Snyder et al propose that caffeine, which is struc-(15) turally similar to adenosine, is able to bind to both typesof receptors, which prevents adenosine from attachingthere and allows the neurons to fire more readily thanthey otherwise would.For many years, caffeine’s effects have been attri-(20) buted to its inhibition of the production of phosphodi-esterase, an enzyme that breaks down the chemicalcalled cyclic AMP.A number of neurotransmitters exerttheir effects by first increasing cyclic AMP concentra-tions in target neurons. Therefore, prolonged periods at(25) the elevated concentrations, as might be brought aboutby a phosphodiesterase inhibitor, could lead to a greateramount of neuron firing and, consequently, to behav-ioral stimulation. But Snyder et al point out that thecaffeine concentrations needed to inhibit the production(30) of phosphodiesterase in the brain are much higher thanthose that produce stimulation. Moreover, other com-pounds that block phosphodiesterase’s activity are notstimulants.To buttress their case that caffeine acts instead by pre-(35) venting adenosine binding, Snyder et al compared thestimulatory effects of a series of caffeine derivatives withtheir ability to dislodge adenosine from its receptors inthe brains of mice. “In general,” they reported, “theability of the compounds to compete at the receptors(40) correlates with their ability to stimulate locomotion inthe mouse; i.e., the higher their capacity to bind at thereceptors, the higher their ability to stimulate locomo-tion.” Theophylline, a close structural relative of caffeineand the major stimulant in tea, was one of the most(45) effective compounds in both regards.There were some apparent exceptions to the generalcorrelation observed between adenosine-receptor bindingand stimulation. One of these was a compound called3-isobuty1-1-methylxanthine(IBMX), which bound very(50) well but actually depressed mouse locomotion. Snyderet al suggest that this is not a major stumbling block totheir hypothesis. The problem is that the compound hasmixed effects in the brain, a not unusual occurrence withpsychoactive drugs. Even caffeine, which is generally(55) known only for its stimulatory effects, displays thisproperty, depressing mouse locomotion at very low concentrations and stimulating it at higher ones.Q.Snyder et al suggest that caffeine’s ability to bind to A1 and A2 receptors can be at least partially attributed to which of the following?(a) The chemical relationship between caffeine and phosphodiesterase(b) The structural relationship between caffeine and adenosine(c) The structural similarity between caffeine and neurotransmitters(d) The ability of caffeine to stimulate behavior(e) The natural occurrence of caffeine and adenosine in the braina)The chemical relationship between caffeine and phosphodiesteraseb)The structural relationship between caffeine and adenosinec)The structural similarity between caffeine and neurotransmittersd)The ability of caffeine to stimulate behaviore)The natural occurrence of caffeine and adenosine in the brainCorrect answer is option 'B'. Can you explain this answer?, a detailed solution for Directions: Read the Passage carefully and answer the question as follow.Caffeine, the stimulant in coffee, has been called“the most widely used psychoactive substance on Earth .”Synder, Daly and Bruns have recently proposed thatcaffeine affects behavior by countering the activity in(5) the human brain of a naturally occurring chemical calledadenosine. Adenosine normally depresses neuron firingin many areas of the brain. It apparently does this byinhibiting the release of neurotransmitters, chemicalsthat carry nerve impulses from one neuron to the next.(10) Like many other agents that affect neuron firing,adenosine must first bind to specific receptors onneuronal membranes. There are at least two classesof these receptors, which have been designated A1 andA2. Snyder et al propose that caffeine, which is struc-(15) turally similar to adenosine, is able to bind to both typesof receptors, which prevents adenosine from attachingthere and allows the neurons to fire more readily thanthey otherwise would.For many years, caffeine’s effects have been attri-(20) buted to its inhibition of the production of phosphodi-esterase, an enzyme that breaks down the chemicalcalled cyclic AMP.A number of neurotransmitters exerttheir effects by first increasing cyclic AMP concentra-tions in target neurons. Therefore, prolonged periods at(25) the elevated concentrations, as might be brought aboutby a phosphodiesterase inhibitor, could lead to a greateramount of neuron firing and, consequently, to behav-ioral stimulation. But Snyder et al point out that thecaffeine concentrations needed to inhibit the production(30) of phosphodiesterase in the brain are much higher thanthose that produce stimulation. Moreover, other com-pounds that block phosphodiesterase’s activity are notstimulants.To buttress their case that caffeine acts instead by pre-(35) venting adenosine binding, Snyder et al compared thestimulatory effects of a series of caffeine derivatives withtheir ability to dislodge adenosine from its receptors inthe brains of mice. “In general,” they reported, “theability of the compounds to compete at the receptors(40) correlates with their ability to stimulate locomotion inthe mouse; i.e., the higher their capacity to bind at thereceptors, the higher their ability to stimulate locomo-tion.” Theophylline, a close structural relative of caffeineand the major stimulant in tea, was one of the most(45) effective compounds in both regards.There were some apparent exceptions to the generalcorrelation observed between adenosine-receptor bindingand stimulation. One of these was a compound called3-isobuty1-1-methylxanthine(IBMX), which bound very(50) well but actually depressed mouse locomotion. Snyderet al suggest that this is not a major stumbling block totheir hypothesis. The problem is that the compound hasmixed effects in the brain, a not unusual occurrence withpsychoactive drugs. Even caffeine, which is generally(55) known only for its stimulatory effects, displays thisproperty, depressing mouse locomotion at very low concentrations and stimulating it at higher ones.Q.Snyder et al suggest that caffeine’s ability to bind to A1 and A2 receptors can be at least partially attributed to which of the following?(a) The chemical relationship between caffeine and phosphodiesterase(b) The structural relationship between caffeine and adenosine(c) The structural similarity between caffeine and neurotransmitters(d) The ability of caffeine to stimulate behavior(e) The natural occurrence of caffeine and adenosine in the braina)The chemical relationship between caffeine and phosphodiesteraseb)The structural relationship between caffeine and adenosinec)The structural similarity between caffeine and neurotransmittersd)The ability of caffeine to stimulate behaviore)The natural occurrence of caffeine and adenosine in the brainCorrect answer is option 'B'. Can you explain this answer? has been provided alongside types of Directions: Read the Passage carefully and answer the question as follow.Caffeine, the stimulant in coffee, has been called“the most widely used psychoactive substance on Earth .”Synder, Daly and Bruns have recently proposed thatcaffeine affects behavior by countering the activity in(5) the human brain of a naturally occurring chemical calledadenosine. Adenosine normally depresses neuron firingin many areas of the brain. It apparently does this byinhibiting the release of neurotransmitters, chemicalsthat carry nerve impulses from one neuron to the next.(10) Like many other agents that affect neuron firing,adenosine must first bind to specific receptors onneuronal membranes. There are at least two classesof these receptors, which have been designated A1 andA2. Snyder et al propose that caffeine, which is struc-(15) turally similar to adenosine, is able to bind to both typesof receptors, which prevents adenosine from attachingthere and allows the neurons to fire more readily thanthey otherwise would.For many years, caffeine’s effects have been attri-(20) buted to its inhibition of the production of phosphodi-esterase, an enzyme that breaks down the chemicalcalled cyclic AMP.A number of neurotransmitters exerttheir effects by first increasing cyclic AMP concentra-tions in target neurons. Therefore, prolonged periods at(25) the elevated concentrations, as might be brought aboutby a phosphodiesterase inhibitor, could lead to a greateramount of neuron firing and, consequently, to behav-ioral stimulation. But Snyder et al point out that thecaffeine concentrations needed to inhibit the production(30) of phosphodiesterase in the brain are much higher thanthose that produce stimulation. Moreover, other com-pounds that block phosphodiesterase’s activity are notstimulants.To buttress their case that caffeine acts instead by pre-(35) venting adenosine binding, Snyder et al compared thestimulatory effects of a series of caffeine derivatives withtheir ability to dislodge adenosine from its receptors inthe brains of mice. “In general,” they reported, “theability of the compounds to compete at the receptors(40) correlates with their ability to stimulate locomotion inthe mouse; i.e., the higher their capacity to bind at thereceptors, the higher their ability to stimulate locomo-tion.” Theophylline, a close structural relative of caffeineand the major stimulant in tea, was one of the most(45) effective compounds in both regards.There were some apparent exceptions to the generalcorrelation observed between adenosine-receptor bindingand stimulation. One of these was a compound called3-isobuty1-1-methylxanthine(IBMX), which bound very(50) well but actually depressed mouse locomotion. Snyderet al suggest that this is not a major stumbling block totheir hypothesis. The problem is that the compound hasmixed effects in the brain, a not unusual occurrence withpsychoactive drugs. Even caffeine, which is generally(55) known only for its stimulatory effects, displays thisproperty, depressing mouse locomotion at very low concentrations and stimulating it at higher ones.Q.Snyder et al suggest that caffeine’s ability to bind to A1 and A2 receptors can be at least partially attributed to which of the following?(a) The chemical relationship between caffeine and phosphodiesterase(b) The structural relationship between caffeine and adenosine(c) The structural similarity between caffeine and neurotransmitters(d) The ability of caffeine to stimulate behavior(e) The natural occurrence of caffeine and adenosine in the braina)The chemical relationship between caffeine and phosphodiesteraseb)The structural relationship between caffeine and adenosinec)The structural similarity between caffeine and neurotransmittersd)The ability of caffeine to stimulate behaviore)The natural occurrence of caffeine and adenosine in the brainCorrect answer is option 'B'. Can you explain this answer? theory, EduRev gives you an
ample number of questions to practice Directions: Read the Passage carefully and answer the question as follow.Caffeine, the stimulant in coffee, has been called“the most widely used psychoactive substance on Earth .”Synder, Daly and Bruns have recently proposed thatcaffeine affects behavior by countering the activity in(5) the human brain of a naturally occurring chemical calledadenosine. Adenosine normally depresses neuron firingin many areas of the brain. It apparently does this byinhibiting the release of neurotransmitters, chemicalsthat carry nerve impulses from one neuron to the next.(10) Like many other agents that affect neuron firing,adenosine must first bind to specific receptors onneuronal membranes. There are at least two classesof these receptors, which have been designated A1 andA2. Snyder et al propose that caffeine, which is struc-(15) turally similar to adenosine, is able to bind to both typesof receptors, which prevents adenosine from attachingthere and allows the neurons to fire more readily thanthey otherwise would.For many years, caffeine’s effects have been attri-(20) buted to its inhibition of the production of phosphodi-esterase, an enzyme that breaks down the chemicalcalled cyclic AMP.A number of neurotransmitters exerttheir effects by first increasing cyclic AMP concentra-tions in target neurons. Therefore, prolonged periods at(25) the elevated concentrations, as might be brought aboutby a phosphodiesterase inhibitor, could lead to a greateramount of neuron firing and, consequently, to behav-ioral stimulation. But Snyder et al point out that thecaffeine concentrations needed to inhibit the production(30) of phosphodiesterase in the brain are much higher thanthose that produce stimulation. Moreover, other com-pounds that block phosphodiesterase’s activity are notstimulants.To buttress their case that caffeine acts instead by pre-(35) venting adenosine binding, Snyder et al compared thestimulatory effects of a series of caffeine derivatives withtheir ability to dislodge adenosine from its receptors inthe brains of mice. “In general,” they reported, “theability of the compounds to compete at the receptors(40) correlates with their ability to stimulate locomotion inthe mouse; i.e., the higher their capacity to bind at thereceptors, the higher their ability to stimulate locomo-tion.” Theophylline, a close structural relative of caffeineand the major stimulant in tea, was one of the most(45) effective compounds in both regards.There were some apparent exceptions to the generalcorrelation observed between adenosine-receptor bindingand stimulation. One of these was a compound called3-isobuty1-1-methylxanthine(IBMX), which bound very(50) well but actually depressed mouse locomotion. Snyderet al suggest that this is not a major stumbling block totheir hypothesis. The problem is that the compound hasmixed effects in the brain, a not unusual occurrence withpsychoactive drugs. Even caffeine, which is generally(55) known only for its stimulatory effects, displays thisproperty, depressing mouse locomotion at very low concentrations and stimulating it at higher ones.Q.Snyder et al suggest that caffeine’s ability to bind to A1 and A2 receptors can be at least partially attributed to which of the following?(a) The chemical relationship between caffeine and phosphodiesterase(b) The structural relationship between caffeine and adenosine(c) The structural similarity between caffeine and neurotransmitters(d) The ability of caffeine to stimulate behavior(e) The natural occurrence of caffeine and adenosine in the braina)The chemical relationship between caffeine and phosphodiesteraseb)The structural relationship between caffeine and adenosinec)The structural similarity between caffeine and neurotransmittersd)The ability of caffeine to stimulate behaviore)The natural occurrence of caffeine and adenosine in the brainCorrect answer is option 'B'. Can you explain this answer? tests, examples and also practice GMAT tests.
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