Biochemical and Cell Signalling Pathways in Transmission of Nerve Signals Flashcards
What affects axonal conduction
Lenght, diameter, myeline sheath, Na+ and K+ ion movement dependant
Examples of classical neurotransmitter types
Amino acids
Monoamines
Acetylcholine
Examples of non-classical neurotransmitters
Neuropeptides
Lipids
Gases
What is glutamate
Main excitatory neurotransmitter
Formed from krebs cycle by amination of alpha-ketoglutarate
What are VGLUT
vesicle glutamine transporters
Best marker for glutamatergic synapses
What is GABA
Major inhibitory transmitter
Formed when glutamate is converted by glutamic acid decarboxylase
What type of receptors do GABAa and GABAb act via
GABAa - ionotropic (mediates fast synaptic inhibition in the CNS)
GABAb - metabotropic
What is VMAT
vesice monoamine trasnporters
Transporter protein fill vesicles with catecholamines
Inhibited by reserpine
What two processes remove catecholamines
Monoamine oxidase
CAtecholamine transporters
How does MAO work
Deaminates catecholamines
How do catecholamines transporters work
transport for reuse or recycling
Uptake inhibitors act as anti-depressants
What is the function of serotonin
Causes smooth muscle contraction
Functionally similar to catecholamines
What is another name for serotonin
5-HT
What is acetylcholine
Neurotransmitter at neuromuscular junction
Synthesised from choline
pumped into vesicles using VChAT
Inavtivated by acetyl and butyryl cholinesterase
What are zymogens
Inactive pro-hormones
Synthesised in cell body
activated in the golgi
transported to terminals using fast axonal transport
How are non-classical neurotransmitters inactivated
Diffusion or breakdown
Peptide and receptor complexes can be endocytosed
DIfferences between unconventional neurotransmitters and normal
Not stored in synapses
Not exocytosed
Not intentionally inactivated
Does not have cell surface receptors
What are endocannabinoids
retrograde neurotransmitters
important in learning and memory and food intake
syntheissed drom memrbane lipids
Inactivated by FAAHm MGL and anadamide transporter
The function of noradrenergic neural pathway
Attention, arousal, sleep-wake cycles, learning, memory, anxiety, pain and mood
Describe the origin and termination of noradrenogenic neural pathway
Originates: locus coeruleus of the pons
Terminates: cerebral cortex, thalamus, hypothalamus, olfactory bulb, cerebellum, midbrain, spinal cord
What are the functions of the serotonogenic pathway
Lower nuclei: Pain, locomotion
Upper nuclei: Sleep-wake cycle, mood and emotional behaviors, such as aggression and depression
Where does the serotonogenic pathway originate and terminate
Originate: Raphe nuclei along brain stem midline
Terminate: Lower nuclei project to spinal cord
Upper nuclei project to most of brain
