Podcast
Questions and Answers
What is the function of the presynaptic terminal?
What is the function of the presynaptic terminal?
- Receives neurotransmitters
- Contains specialized receptors for neurotransmitters
- Initiates the action potential
- Converts electrical signal into a chemical signal (correct)
Which neurotransmitter is known to be the most abundant in the nervous system?
Which neurotransmitter is known to be the most abundant in the nervous system?
- Glycine
- Acetylcholine
- Glutamate (correct)
- GABA
What type of channels are controlled by a neurotransmitter?
What type of channels are controlled by a neurotransmitter?
- Potassium channels
- Mechanically-gated channels
- Ligand-gated channels (correct)
- Voltage-gated channels
In Sherrington's concept of the synapse, what does an input result in?
In Sherrington's concept of the synapse, what does an input result in?
What happens when a neurotransmitter binds to an ionotropic receptor?
What happens when a neurotransmitter binds to an ionotropic receptor?
Which neurotransmitter opens chloride gates, letting negatively charged ions enter faster?
Which neurotransmitter opens chloride gates, letting negatively charged ions enter faster?
What type of chemicals are released by postsynaptic neurons to inhibit further release of transmitter?
What type of chemicals are released by postsynaptic neurons to inhibit further release of transmitter?
What is the primary purpose of electrical synapses?
What is the primary purpose of electrical synapses?
Which of the following is an example of an electrical synapse?
Which of the following is an example of an electrical synapse?
What is the purpose of the inhibitory chemicals released by postsynaptic neurons?
What is the purpose of the inhibitory chemicals released by postsynaptic neurons?
How do electrical synapses differ from chemical synapses?
How do electrical synapses differ from chemical synapses?
What is the purpose of the illustration summarizing the effects of drugs on dopamine synapses?
What is the purpose of the illustration summarizing the effects of drugs on dopamine synapses?
What is the primary function of inhibitory messages at synapses?
What is the primary function of inhibitory messages at synapses?
Which statement accurately describes the concept of spontaneous firing rate?
Which statement accurately describes the concept of spontaneous firing rate?
In the example provided, if a neuron's spontaneous firing rate is 10 action potentials per second, what would be the effect of a stream of EPSPs?
In the example provided, if a neuron's spontaneous firing rate is 10 action potentials per second, what would be the effect of a stream of EPSPs?
Which statement accurately describes the process of chemical transmission at synapses?
Which statement accurately describes the process of chemical transmission at synapses?
In the example provided, if cell X has a threshold of +2, how many excitatory inputs from cells A and B are required for cell X to respond?
In the example provided, if cell X has a threshold of +2, how many excitatory inputs from cells A and B are required for cell X to respond?
What was the significance of Loewi's experiment involving the stimulation of the vagus nerve in a frog?
What was the significance of Loewi's experiment involving the stimulation of the vagus nerve in a frog?
Study Notes
Synaptic Transmission
- Delay occurs in transmission through a synapse
- Excitatory messages can be regulated by inhibitory neurons
- EPSP (excitatory postsynaptic potential) is a burst of excitation in a neuron
- Inhibitory messages can regulate the timing of activity
Neuron Stimulation
- Axons from multiple cells can stimulate a single cell
- Threshold of stimulation determines response
- +1 unit stimulation can lead to response, while +2 units may be required for stimulation
Spontaneous Firing Rate
- Neurons have a spontaneous firing rate without synaptic input
- EPSPs increase firing rate, while IPSPs decrease it
Chemical Transmission
- Most synapses rely on chemical processes
- Chemical transmission involves release and reception of chemicals
- Nitric oxide and anandamide are examples of chemicals involved in transmission
Electrical Synapses
- Gap junctions allow direct contact between neuron membranes
- Electrical transmission is faster than chemical transmission
- Electrical synapses are used in cases requiring exact synchrony between cells
Hormones
- Hormones are chemicals secreted by cells to influence other cells
- Hormones are conveyed by the blood stream
Presynaptic and Postsynaptic Terminals
- Presynaptic terminal is where electrical signal is converted to chemical signal
- Postsynaptic terminal membrane contains specialized receptors
- Calcium entry into the terminal leads to exocytosis
Activating Receptors
- Ionotropic effects are brief on or off effects
- Ionotropic synapse has localized effects on one point on the membrane
- Transmitter-gated or ligand-gated channels are controlled by neurotransmitters
Neurotransmitters
- Glutamate is the most abundant excitatory neurotransmitter in the nervous system
- GABA is an inhibitory neurotransmitter that opens chloride gates
- Glycine is an inhibitory neurotransmitter found mostly in the spinal cord
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Description
Learn about the process of neurotransmitter release at the presynaptic terminal and its effects on the postsynaptic cell. Understand the conversion from electrical to chemical signals and the role of specialized receptors in synaptic transmission.
