21 Questions
What are the two major types of neurotransmission?
Chemical and electrical
Which are the most common excitatory and inhibitory neurotransmitters in the CNS?
Glutamate and GABA
What is the role of membrane potential in inhibitory neurotransmission?
It decreases excitability
What is the difference between ionotropic and metabotropic receptors?
Ionotropic receptors directly open ion channels, while metabotropic receptors are G-protein coupled
What is the structure facilitating transmission of electrical or chemical signals between neurons or neuron-muscle/gland interfaces?
Synapse
Which type of synapse transmits signals via neurotransmitters binding to receptors, altering ion channels, causing membrane potential changes in the postsynaptic cell?
Chemical synapses
What process involves neurotransmitter release and receptor activation?
Synaptic transmission
What mechanism leads to the release of neurotransmitter from vesicles and diffusion into the synaptic cleft?
Influx of calcium ions
Which type of receptors involve direct binding of neurotransmitter to ion channels, producing brief postsynaptic potential?
Ionotropic receptors
What do excitatory neurotransmitters do to the postsynaptic membrane?
Depolarize it
What do inhibitory neurotransmitters do to the postsynaptic membrane?
Hyperpolarize it
Which type of synapse makes the neuron more likely to fire?
Excitatory synapses
What is the process by which neurotransmitters can be reabsorbed for reuse or inactivated by enzymes?
Neurotransmission termination
Which ion movement leads to hyperpolarization of the cell membrane?
Influx of Cl- ions
Which neurotransmitter is primarily excitatory?
Acetylcholine
Which neurotransmitter is primarily inhibitory?
GABA
Which neurotransmitter is associated with the flight or fight response in the sympathetic nervous system?
Noradrenaline
Which environmental change increases neuronal excitability?
Alkalosis
What can lead to unconsciousness by interrupting brain blood flow for 3 to 7 seconds?
Hypoxia
What neurotransmitter is important for controlling integrative functions of the nervous system such as thinking and judgment?
Acetylcholine
What neurotransmitter is associated with mood and behavior, particularly depression?
Serotonin
Study Notes
- Synapse: structure facilitating transmission of electrical or chemical signals between neurons or neuron-muscle/gland interfaces
- Chemical synapses: transmit signals via neurotransmitters binding to receptors, altering ion channels, causing membrane potential changes in the postsynaptic cell
- Muscle, gland, neuroglandular neurons can be target cells in chemical synapses
- Synaptic transmission: process of neurotransmitter release and receptor activation
- Neuron communicates with target via neurotransmitters, released in response to excitation in presynaptic neuron
- Neurotransmitter release mechanism: influx of calcium ions leads to release of neurotransmitter from vesicles and diffusion into synaptic cleft
- Neurotransmitters can be reabsorbed for reuse or inactivated by enzymes
- Neurotransmitters can diffuse out of synaptic cleft into bloodstream
- Ionotropic and metabotropic receptors: types of postsynaptic receptors, differing in response mechanisms
- Fast response (ionotropic receptors): direct binding of neurotransmitter to ion channels, producing brief postsynaptic potential
- Slow response (metabotropic receptors): activation of G proteins, causing longer-lasting biochemical changes and more complex responses
- Excitatory neurotransmitters: depolarize the postsynaptic membrane, raising the probability of an action potential, forming excitatory postsynaptic potential (EPSP)
- Inhibitory neurotransmitters: hyperpolarize the postsynaptic membrane, lowering the likelihood of an action potential, forming inhibitory postsynaptic potential (IPSP)
- Neurotransmission at excitatory and inhibitory synapses: excitatory synapses depolarize, making the neuron more likely to fire; inhibitory synapses hyperpolarize, making the neuron less likely to fire.
This quiz covers the physio-anatomy of a synapse, including both chemical and electrical aspects, as well as general concepts of neurotransmitter production, release, function, and inactivation. The content aims to enhance understanding of synaptic transmission in the context of physiology.
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