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Questions and Answers
What is the function of GABA, an inhibitory neurotransmitter?
What is the function of GABA, an inhibitory neurotransmitter?
Nitric oxide is a small molecule neurotransmitter.
Nitric oxide is a small molecule neurotransmitter.
False
What is the role of dopamine in the body?
What is the role of dopamine in the body?
Dopamine plays a role in mood regulation, emotional response, motor control, and reward and motivation.
Neuropeptide neurotransmitters are short chains of ______________________ that function as neurotransmitters.
Neuropeptide neurotransmitters are short chains of ______________________ that function as neurotransmitters.
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Match the following neurotransmitters with their effects on the body:
Match the following neurotransmitters with their effects on the body:
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Glutamate is an inhibitory neurotransmitter.
Glutamate is an inhibitory neurotransmitter.
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What is the role of serotonin in the body?
What is the role of serotonin in the body?
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What is unique about the synthesis of nitric oxide and carbon monoxide?
What is unique about the synthesis of nitric oxide and carbon monoxide?
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What is the primary function of synapses in the nervous system?
What is the primary function of synapses in the nervous system?
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Electrical synapses involve the release of neurotransmitters.
Electrical synapses involve the release of neurotransmitters.
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What is the purpose of Ca2+ influx in the pre-synaptic terminal?
What is the purpose of Ca2+ influx in the pre-synaptic terminal?
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Ionotropic receptors have ion channels that open directly upon binding of _______________.
Ionotropic receptors have ion channels that open directly upon binding of _______________.
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What is the effect of inhibitory synapses on the post-synaptic neuron?
What is the effect of inhibitory synapses on the post-synaptic neuron?
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Match the following neurotransmitter types with their descriptions:
Match the following neurotransmitter types with their descriptions:
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Neurotransmitters are removed from the synaptic cleft solely through enzymatic degradation.
Neurotransmitters are removed from the synaptic cleft solely through enzymatic degradation.
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What is the primary function of neurotransmitters in the nervous system?
What is the primary function of neurotransmitters in the nervous system?
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Study Notes
Overview of Synaptic Transmission
- Synapses are connections between two neurons where communication occurs
- Synapses can be of two types: electrical and chemical
- Electrical synapses involve direct electrical connections between neurons via gap junctions
- Chemical synapses have a synaptic cleft between the pre-synaptic and post-synaptic neurons
Types of Chemical Synapses
- Axodendritic: Pre-synaptic neuron's axon connects to post-synaptic neuron's dendrite
- Axosomatic: Pre-synaptic axon connects to post-synaptic neuron's cell body
- Axoaxonic: Pre-synaptic axon connects to post-synaptic axon
Neurotransmitter Release and Action
- Neurotransmitters are stored in synaptic vesicles in the pre-synaptic terminal
- Arrival of action potential triggers Ca2+ influx, causing vesicle fusion and neurotransmitter release into synaptic cleft
- Neurotransmitters then bind to receptors on the post-synaptic neuron
Ionotropic vs Metabotropic Receptors
- Ionotropic receptors have ion channels that open directly upon neurotransmitter binding
- Metabotropic receptors activate G-protein signaling cascades to indirectly modulate ion channels
Excitatory vs Inhibitory Synapses
- Excitatory synapses cause depolarization and increased likelihood of action potential generation
- Inhibitory synapses cause hyperpolarization and decreased likelihood of action potential
Neurotransmitter Types
- Small molecule neurotransmitters (e.g. acetylcholine, glutamate, GABA)
- Amino acid neurotransmitters (e.g. glutamate, aspartate)
- Biogenic amine neurotransmitters (e.g. dopamine, serotonin, norepinephrine)
Neurotransmitter Removal
- Diffusion out of synaptic cleft
- Enzymatic degradation
- Reuptake by pre-synaptic neuron### Neurotransmitters and Neuropeptides
- Neurotransmitters are molecules that transmit signals across the synapse between neurons.
- Examples of neurotransmitters:
- Excitatory neurotransmitters: glutamate, aspartate
- Inhibitory neurotransmitters: GABA, glycine
- Neurotransmitters can be classified into two categories:
- Small molecule neurotransmitters (e.g., acetylcholine, dopamine)
- Neuropeptide neurotransmitters (e.g., substance P, neuropeptide Y)
Inhibitory Neurotransmitters
- GABA (gamma-aminobutyric acid) is an inhibitory neurotransmitter that reduces neuronal activity.
- Glycine is another inhibitory neurotransmitter that can cause muscle relaxation and reduce pain.
Biogenic Amines
- Biogenic amines are a class of neurotransmitters that include:
- Norepinephrine (also known as noradrenaline)
- Serotonin (also known as 5-hydroxytryptamine)
- Dopamine
- These neurotransmitters play a role in various physiological and psychological processes, such as:
- Mood regulation
- Emotional response
- Motor control
- Reward and motivation
Nitric Oxide
- Nitric oxide (NO) is a gas neurotransmitter that:
- Relaxes smooth muscles
- Dilates blood vessels
- Plays a role in neurotransmission and neuromodulation
- NO is synthesized on-demand and is not stored in synaptic vesicles.
Carbon Monoxide
- Carbon monoxide (CO) is another gas neurotransmitter that:
- Has anti-inflammatory effects
- Regulates insulin release
- Plays a role in thermoregulation and memory formation
- CO is also synthesized on-demand and is not stored in synaptic vesicles.
Neuropeptides
- Neuropeptides are short chains of amino acids that function as neurotransmitters.
- Examples of neuropeptides:
- Substance P: involved in pain modulation
- Neurotensin: involved in pain modulation and gut function
- Neuropeptides can have various effects on the body, including:
- Pain modulation
- Gut function
- Mood regulation
Overview of Synaptic Transmission
- Synapses are connections between two neurons where communication occurs
- There are two types of synapses: electrical and chemical
Types of Synapses
- Electrical synapses involve direct electrical connections between neurons via gap junctions
- Chemical synapses have a synaptic cleft between the pre-synaptic and post-synaptic neurons
Types of Chemical Synapses
- Axodendritic: pre-synaptic neuron's axon connects to post-synaptic neuron's dendrite
- Axosomatic: pre-synaptic axon connects to post-synaptic neuron's cell body
- Axoaxonic: pre-synaptic axon connects to post-synaptic axon
Neurotransmitter Release and Action
- Neurotransmitters are stored in synaptic vesicles in the pre-synaptic terminal
- Arrival of action potential triggers Ca2+ influx, causing vesicle fusion and neurotransmitter release into synaptic cleft
- Neurotransmitters then bind to receptors on the post-synaptic neuron
Receptors
- Ionotropic receptors have ion channels that open directly upon neurotransmitter binding
- Metabotropic receptors activate G-protein signaling cascades to indirectly modulate ion channels
Synaptic Function
- Excitatory synapses cause depolarization and increased likelihood of action potential generation
- Inhibitory synapses cause hyperpolarization and decreased likelihood of action potential
Neurotransmitters
- There are several types of neurotransmitters:
- Small molecule neurotransmitters (e.g. acetylcholine, glutamate, GABA)
- Amino acid neurotransmitters (e.g. glutamate, aspartate)
- Biogenic amine neurotransmitters (e.g. dopamine, serotonin, norepinephrine)
- Examples of neurotransmitters:
- Excitatory neurotransmitters: glutamate, aspartate
- Inhibitory neurotransmitters: GABA, glycine
Neurotransmitter Removal
- Neurotransmitters can be removed through:
- Diffusion out of synaptic cleft
- Enzymatic degradation
- Reuptake by pre-synaptic neuron
Biogenic Amines
- Biogenic amines are a class of neurotransmitters that include:
- Norepinephrine (also known as noradrenaline)
- Serotonin (also known as 5-hydroxytryptamine)
- Dopamine
- These neurotransmitters play a role in various physiological and psychological processes, such as:
- Mood regulation
- Emotional response
- Motor control
- Reward and motivation
Gas Neurotransmitters
- Nitric oxide (NO) is a gas neurotransmitter that:
- Relaxes smooth muscles
- Dilates blood vessels
- Plays a role in neurotransmission and neuromodulation
- Nitric oxide is synthesized on-demand and is not stored in synaptic vesicles
- Carbon monoxide (CO) is another gas neurotransmitter that:
- Has anti-inflammatory effects
- Regulates insulin release
- Plays a role in thermoregulation and memory formation
- Carbon monoxide is also synthesized on-demand and is not stored in synaptic vesicles
Neuropeptides
- Neuropeptides are short chains of amino acids that function as neurotransmitters
- Examples of neuropeptides:
- Substance P: involved in pain modulation
- Neurotensin: involved in pain modulation and gut function
- Neuropeptides can have various effects on the body, including:
- Pain modulation
- Gut function
- Mood regulation
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Description
Learn about the types of synapses, including electrical and chemical synapses, and their characteristics in neuronal communication.
