Ch 4 Neural Conduction & Synaptic Transmission Flashcards
Ionotropic Receptors
Receptors that are associated with ligandactivated ion channels.
Norepinephrine
One of the three catecholamine neurotransmitters.
Catecholamines
The three monoamine neurotransmitters that are synthesized from the amino acid tyrosine: dopamine, epinephrine,and norepinephrine.
Opioid Peptides
One of the five classes of neuropeptide transmitters; it consists of those with a structure similar to the active ingredients of opium.
Metabotropic Receptors
Receptors that are associated with signal proteins and G proteins.
Atropine
A receptor blocker that exerts an antagonistic effect at muscarinic receptors.
Nondirected Synapses
Synapses at which the site of neurotransmitter release and the site of neurotransmitter reception are not close together
Anandamide
The first endogenous endocannabinoid to be discovered and characterized.
Excitatory postsynaptic potentials(EPSPs)
Graded post-synaptic depolarizations, which increase the likelihood that an action potential will be generated.
Axon initial segment
The segment of the axon where action potentials are generated—located immediately adjacent to the axon hillock.
Directed Synapses
Synapses at which the site of neurotransmitter release and the site of neurotransmitter reception are in close proximity.
Neuropeptide Transmitters
Peptides that function as neurotransmitters, of which about 100 have been identified; also called neuropeptides.
Spatial Summation
The integration of signals that occur at different sites on the neuron’s membrane.
Soluble-gas neurotransmitters
A class of unconventional neurotransmitters that includes nitric oxide and carbon monoxide.
Transporters
Mechanisms in the membrane of a cell that actively transport ions or molecules across the membrane.
Ligand
A molecule that binds to another molecule; neurotransmitters are ligands of their receptors.
Ions
Positively or negatively charged particles.
Gamma-aminobutyric acid(GABA)
The amino acid neurotransmitter that is synthesized from glutamate; the most prevalent inhibitory neurotransmitter in the mammalian nervous system.
Enzymes
Proteins that stimulate or inhibit biochemical reactions without being affected by them.
Exocytosis
The process of releasing a neurotransmitter.
Sodium−potassium pumps
Active transport mechanisms that pump Na+ ions out of neurons and K+ ions in.
Graded Responses
Responses whose magnitude is indicative of the magnitude of the stimuli that induce them.
Autoreceptors
A type of metabotropic receptor located on the presynaptic membrane and sensitive to a neuron’s own neurotransmitter.
Aspartate
An amino acid neurotransmitter that is a constituent of many of the proteins that we eat.
Reuptake
The drawing back into the terminal button of neurotransmitter molecules after their release into the synapse; the more common of the two mechanisms for deactivating a released neurotransmitter.
Glycine
An amino acid neurotransmitter that is a constituent of many of the proteins that we eat.
Microelectrode
Extremely fine recording electrodes, which are used for intracellular recording.
Amino acid neurotransmitters
A class of small-molecule neurotransmitters, which includes the amino acids glutamate and GABA.
Dendritic Spines
Tiny nodules of various shapes that are located on the surfaces of many dendrites and are the sites of most excitatory synapses in the mature mammalian brain.
All or none responses
Responses that are not graded, that either occur to their full extent or not at all.
Endogenous
Naturally occurring in the body (e.g., endogenous opioids).
Dopamine
One of the three catecholamine neurotransmitters; dopaminergic neurons are damaged in Parkinson’s disease and too much of it in schizophrenia people