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Neurotransmitters: Criteria and Synapse
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Neurotransmitters: Criteria and Synapse

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Questions and Answers

What is the outcome of Na+ influx in the postsynaptic cell?

  • Action potential formation
  • Hyperpolarization of the membrane
  • No change in the membrane potential
  • Depolarization of the membrane (correct)
  • What type of post-synaptic potential is produced by Cl- flux out of the postsynaptic cell?

  • Inhibitory post-synaptic potential (IPSP) (correct)
  • Mixed potential
  • Excitatory post-synaptic potential (EPSP)
  • No potential change
  • What is the function of the enzyme acetylcholinesterase (AChE) in the synaptic cleft?

  • To release acetylcholine into the synaptic cleft
  • To synthesize acetylcholine
  • To cleave acetylcholine into choline and acetate (correct)
  • To transport acetylcholine into the postsynaptic cell
  • What is the role of EAATS in the synaptic cleft?

    <p>To take up glutamate from the synaptic cleft</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the effect of blocking acetylcholine in the basal forebrain cholinergic system (BFCS)?

    <p>Impaired learning and memory</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the function of choline acetyltransferase in the presynaptic terminal?

    <p>To synthesize acetylcholine</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What type of post-synaptic potential is produced by K+ efflux from the postsynaptic cell?

    <p>Inhibitory post-synaptic potential (IPSP)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the effect of drugs that block the reuptake of neurotransmitters?

    <p>Increased neurotransmitter release</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the main neurotransmitter in the parasympathetic nervous system?

    <p>Acetylcholine</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which type of acetylcholine receptors are ionotropic?

    <p>Nicotinic</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the role of glial cells in neurotransmitter clearance?

    <p>To take up neurotransmitters from the synaptic cleft</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the primary location of dopaminergic neurons in the midbrain?

    <p>Substantia nigra</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which of the following is NOT a location of noradrenergic cells?

    <p>Cortex</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the function of acetylcholinesterase in the synaptic cleft?

    <p>To break down acetylcholine</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which type of serotonin receptors is associated with inhibiting pain pathways in the spinal cord?

    <p>5-HT3</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the effect of acetylcholine on the heart?

    <p>Inhibition</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which of the following is NOT a location of dopamine receptors?

    <p>Cerebellum</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the effect of noradrenaline on mood and concentration?

    <p>Improves mood and concentration</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the function of the dopamine transporter (DAT)?

    <p>To reuptake dopamine</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which of the following is associated with low serotonin activity?

    <p>Aggression</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the primary function of reuptake transporters in the synaptic process?

    <p>To take back neurotransmitters into the neuron</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the primary purpose of the synaptic cleft?

    <p>To separate the axon terminal from the target tissue</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the result of depolarization of the presynaptic terminal?

    <p>The release of neurotransmitters from vesicles</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the difference between fast and slow neurotransmission?

    <p>The duration of the signal transmission</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the primary function of calcium ions in the synaptic process?

    <p>To trigger the release of neurotransmitters from vesicles</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the purpose of specific enzymes in the synaptic process?

    <p>To degrade neurotransmitters</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the primary way serotonin is removed from the synaptic cleft?

    <p>Reuptake by the serotonin transporter (SERT)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the primary source of glutamate in the CNS?

    <p>Glycolysis and the Krebs cycle</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the function of the excitatory amino acid transporters in glutamate clearance?

    <p>To use the sodium electrochemical gradient to drive neurotransmitter transport</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the effect of GABA antagonists on the nervous system?

    <p>Decrease the activity of inhibitory neurotransmitters</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the primary function of GABA in the nervous system?

    <p>To facilitate hyperpolarization of the cell by gating chloride ions</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the effect of a GABA agonist on the nervous system?

    <p>Enhance the effects of GABA</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the primary mechanism of glutamate clearance in the CNS?

    <p>Transport into glial cells and conversion into glutamine</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the effect of tiagabine on GABAergic neurotransmission?

    <p>Inhibits GABA reuptake</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the primary function of the GABA and glycine transporters?

    <p>To use the sodium electrochemical gradient to drive neurotransmitter transport</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the effect of alcohol on GABAergic neurotransmission?

    <p>Increases GABA activity</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Study Notes

    Neurotransmission

    • Neurotransmitters bind to receptors on the postsynaptic cell, inducing a specific effect on the postsynaptic potential.
    • Ion flow across the postsynaptic membrane leads to graded changes in membrane potential (voltage).

    Post-Synaptic Potentials (PSPs)

    • Excitatory Post-Synaptic Potential (EPSP): voltage changes that enhance the likelihood of an action potential forming.
    • Inhibitory Post-Synaptic Potential (IPSP): voltage changes that reduce the likelihood of an action potential being produced.
    • Na+ and Ca++ influx always produce an EPSP (depolarization of the membrane).
    • K+ efflux always produces an IPSP (hyperpolarization of the membrane).
    • Cl- flux (in or out) typically produces an IPSP (hyperpolarization of the membrane).

    Neurotransmitter Clearance

    • Neurotransmitters can be returned to the axon terminal for reuse or transported into glial cells.
    • 2 enzymes inactivate neurotransmitters.
    • Neurotransmitters can diffuse out of the synaptic cleft.

    Acetylcholine (ACh)

    • Synthesized in the presynaptic terminal from choline and acetyl-CoA.
    • Released into the synaptic cleft, where it is rapidly split into acetate and choline by the enzyme cholinesterase.
    • Choline is actively transported back into the presynaptic terminal to be used again for ACh synthesis.
    • ACh has two types of receptors: muscarinic and nicotinic.
    • ACh is the main neurotransmitter in the parasympathetic nervous system, regulating bodily functions such as heart rate, digestion, and secretion of saliva and bladder function.

    Dopamine Pathway

    • Dopaminergic neurons are primarily located in the midbrain.
    • Two pathways: Nigrostriatal Pathway and Mesocorticolimbic Pathway.
    • Involved in motor control, reward, and addiction.
    • Dopamine receptors are metabotropic, with five types: D1, D2, D3, D4, and D5.

    Noradrenaline (NA) Pathway

    • Noradrenergic cells located in the pons and medulla.
    • Involved in vigilance, alertness, and arousal.
    • NA receptors are metabotropic, with four types: α1, α2, β1, and β2.

    Serotonin (5-HT) Pathway

    • Mainly secreted by nuclei in the median raphe of the brain stem.
    • Involved in regulating mood, sleep, and appetite.
    • 5-HT receptors are metabotropic, with seven types: 5-HT1, 5-HT2, 5-HT3, 5-HT4, 5-HT5, 5-HT6, and 5-HT7.

    Glutamate Pathway

    • The principal excitatory neurotransmitter in the CNS.
    • Synthesized in neurons and glial cells.
    • Involved in memory, learning, and synaptic plasticity.
    • Glutamate receptors are ionotropic and metabotropic.

    GABA (Gamma-Amino Butyric Acid) Pathway

    • The major inhibitory neurotransmitter in the CNS.
    • Involved in regulating anxiety, sleep, and muscle relaxation.
    • GABA receptors are ionotropic and metabotropic.

    GABA Clearance

    • Like glutamate, GABA action is terminated by either reuptake into the presynaptic terminal and packaging in synaptic vesicles or through transport into glial cells where breakdown can occur.
    • The GABA transporter uses the sodium electrochemical gradient to drive the movement of the transmitter across the membrane.

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    Test your knowledge of neurotransmitters, including the criteria to be considered a neurotransmitter and the structure of a synapse. Learn about the process of synaptic transmission and the role of neurotransmitters in the nervous system.

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