Chapter 4 Flashcards
How is the membrane potential of a neuron maintained at rest (in a “polarized” state, approximately -70 mV)
There are fewer cations inside than outside axon
What causes there to be fewer cations inside that outside the axon for a neuron maintained at rest (-70 mV)
- The Na+/K+ pump is always active
- For every 3+ that flow outside, 2+ flow inside
- channels are closed at rest
- Na+ IN, K+ OUT
When a neuron is in a “resting state” (not firing), it is “polarized” because:
There are more cations outside the neuron than inside it, making the difference in electrical potential from inside to outside the neuron -70 mV
EPSP (excited post synaptic potential)
- Small positive change in membrane potential (depolarization)
- Membrane potential becomes less negative (-65 mV)
https://o.quizlet.com/4CMQFq3-BfXojKtY8l-R5g.jpg
IPSP (inhibited post synaptic potential)
- Small negative change in membrane potential (hyperpolarization)
- Membrane potential becomes more negative (-75 mV)
What happens when EPSP (depolarization) occurs?
- Na+ channels open
- More sodium comes in and enters the neuron
What happens when IPSP (hyperpolarization) occurs?
K+ channels open more often –> K+ flows out
OR
Cl- channels open –> Cl- flows in
What causes action potentials?
- Activation of sensory neuron ending (ex. skin, eye, tongue)
- Input from other neurons
How is action potential triggered and conducted along a myelinated axon?
- ) Starts at axon hillock (interneuron)
- ) Travels down axon in a “wave of depolarization”
- ) Refractory period prevents action potential from moving backwards
- ) Opening and closing of ion channels exclusively at the Nodes of Ranvier
- ) This saltatory conduction accelerates the rate at which an action potential travels down an axon
How is action potential triggered and conducted along a unmyelinated axon?
- ) Starts at axon hillock (interneuron)
- ) Travels down axon in a “wave of depolarization”
- ) Refractory period prevents action potential from moving backwards
- ) Slower conduction of action potential
Myelinated vs. unmyelinated action potential initiation and conduction in axons
Insulation by myelin speeds up action potential down the axon; saltatory conduction
Saltatory conduction
- Occurs for myelinated axons
- Involves the opening and closing of ion channels exclusively at the Nodes of Ranvier
Myelinated axons occur in the CNS via
Oligodendrocytes
Myelinated axons occur in the PNS via
Schwann cells
How does a local anesthetic like Novocain prevent action potentials in your sensory nerves?
It blocks the Na+ channels in sensory nerves
How can a poison like TTX (pufferfish) kill you?
It blocks the Na+ channels and stops all nerve firing
What is an example of a demyelinating disease?
Multiple sclerosis (MS)
How does a demyelinating disease like multiple sclerosis lead to slowed movement, or an inability to move?
- The myelin deteriorates which slows down action potential and makes transmission happen slower
- If you lose all of your myelin then it makes it almost impossible
Major steps in chemical neurotransmission
-Synthesis of a neurotransmitter: packaging in vesicles
-Action potential arrives at axon terminal and triggers NT release (exocytosis)
-Neurotransmitter goes across the synapse and binds to receptors on postsynaptic neuron
Neurotransmitter goes off the receptor and NT signaling is terminated via:
-Reuptake
-Degradation
Describe step 1 in chemical neurotransmission
Synthesis of a neurotransmitter: packaging in vesicles
Describe step 2 in chemical neurotransmission
- Action potential arrives at axon terminal and triggers NT release (exocytosis)
- Ca++ channels open, Ca+ flows IN
- Ca+ causes vesicle membranes to fuse with axon terminal membrane
- NT is released into synapse
Describe step 3 in chemical neurotransmission
- NT molecules cross synapse and bind to receptors on post-synaptic neuron
- Which receptor the NT binds to determines if the neuron is excited or inhibited
Describe step 4 in chemical neurotransmission
Neurotransmitter goes off the receptor and NT signaling is terminated via: Reuptake of NT
Describe step 5 in chemical neurotransmission
- Neurotransmitter goes off the receptor and NT signaling is terminated via: Enzymatic degradation
- Most NTs go back into axon terminal that released them, by the use of a transporter protein, but some are broken down by enzyme in the synapse and thus inactivated
Ionotropic receptor
- Receptor is an ion channel → NT binding causes ion channel to open (or close)
- Fast activation that is brief
- No lasting consequences
Metabotropic receptor
- When a NT binds here a subunit of the G protein breaks off and either binds to an ion channel of stimulates synthesis of second messenger
- Activation is slower and longer
- Neuron “metabolism” changes and can change gene expression
Glutamate
- NT of the amino acid class
- 3 glutamate receptor types: all are ionotropic & open Na+ channels so +
- Always excitatory → increases the neurons action potential
GABA
- NT of the amino acid class
- 2 GABA receptor types: 1 ionotropic (opens Cl- channels); 2 metabotropic (opens K+ channels) so -
- Always inhibitory → decreases the neurons action potential
Example of a behavior or experience that dopamine (DA) is involved in
- Mood
- Cognition
- Movement
Drug that alters dopamine (DA)
L-Dopa increases synthesis to treat Parkinson’s disease
3 neurotransmitters of the monoamine class
- Dopamine
- Serotonin
- Norepinephrine
Example of a behavior or experience that norepinephrine is involved in
Alertness
Example of a behavior or experience that serotonin is involved in
- Mood
- Vision
- Appetite
Drug that alters serotonin
SSRI’s block reuptake of 5-HT and increase NT action
Two main functions of acetylcholine (ACh)
- Movement
- Memory
How can diet influence your mood or behavior by influencing your neurotransmitter and ion levels?
- There are essential amino acids that the body can’t make
- Neurons won’t fire without electrolytes
- Neurons need Na+, K+, Mg+, Ca+
Describe the circuitry underlying the knee-jerk reflex, including what types of neurons and what neurotransmitters are involved
- Tap on patellar tendon
- Sensory neuron fires into spinal cord
- Excited motor neuron goes back out to quad, releases glutamate, acetylcholine is released and the muscle contracts
- Sensory neuron activates interneuron and inhibits motor neuron that goes out to the hamstring so the hamstring relaxes
Why do people who suffer from myasthenia gravis experience “muscle weakness”
People with myasthenia gravis experience muscle weakness because the disease results in a loss of acetylcholine receptors
What type of medication is used to help myasthenia gravis patients move more normally (how does this drug work)?
- Tensilon drug
- AChE inhibitors prevent AChE from breaking down ACh
- Increase in ACh
Agonist
Enhances neurotransmitter action
Antagonist
Inhibits neurotransmitter action
Novocain
- Antagonist
- Blocks Na+ channels in sensory nerves
Botox
- Antagonist
- Release
- Decreases release of ACh
Nicotine
- Agonist
- Binding
- Mimics ACh at 1 type of cholinergic receptor
Oxycotin
- Agonist
- Binding
- Mimic endorphin at opioid receptors (decrease pain)
Amphetamines
- Agonist
- Release
- Increase release of monoamines
SSRI’s
- Agonist
- Reuptake
- Blocks reuptake, thereby increasing NT action
MAO (antidepressants)
- Agonist
- Enzymatic degradation
- MAO inhibitors prevent MAO from breaking down monoamines, thereby increased NT action
At rest, a neuron is _____, with a resting potential of about _____ mV.
Polarized; -70
In resting neurons, there are more _____ ions outside the cell than inside, and more ______ ions inside than outside.
Na+; K+
________________ are specialized pores in neural membranes through which ions can pass.
Ion channels
In a resting neuron, _____________ channels are open, whereas ______________ channels are closed.
potassium; sodium
Sodium-potassium pumps transport ____ sodium ions out of the cell for every ___ potassium ions they transport into the cell.
3; 2
IPSPs are:
inhibitory.
A change in the resting membrane potential from -70 mV to -68 mV would be considered a(n):
EPSP
Action potentials are generated in the axon initial segment, which is adjacent to the:
axon hillock.
The action potential is:
an all-or-none response.
Combining a number of individual IPSPs and EPSPs into one signal is called:
integration
The rising phase of an action potential begins when the ____________ and ends when the _____________.
sodium channels open; sodium channels close
Action potentials normally travel along axons in only one direction because of the:
refractory period.
The transmission of action potentials in myelinated axons is called:
saltatory conduction.
Why should the Hodgkin-Huxley model of understanding the mechanisms of cerebral neurons be applied with great caution?
Their research was based on a type of neuron in a particular species that may not generalize to activity in the mammalian brain.
Conduction in interneurons lacking axons is typically __________ and ____________.
passive; decremental
A(n)________synapse on or near a terminal button can selectively facilitate or inhibit the effects of that button on the postsynaptic neuron.
axoaxonic
Many neurons contain two neurotransmitters—a situation generally called:
coexistence.
Exocytosis of small-molecule neurotransmitters involves:
the activation of voltage-activated calcium channels.
_________ are metabotropic receptors that have unconventional characteristics. For example, they bind to their neuron’s own neurotransmitter molecules.
Autoreceptors
Gap junctions are:
narrow spaces between adjacent cells that are bridged by connexins.
With respect to the classes of neurotransmitters, small-molecule is to _____ as large-molecule is to _____.
amino acids; neuropeptides
____________ are the neurotransmitters in the vast majority of fast-acting directed synapses in the central nervous system.
Amino acids
One amino acid neurotransmitter is:
GABA.
Which choice is a monoamine neurotransmitter?
norepinephrine
Which choice is an indoleamine neurotransmitter?
serotonin
Drugs that facilitate the effects of a particular neurotransmitter are said to be _______________ of that neurotransmitter. Drugs that inhibit the effects of a particular neurotransmitter are said to be its ______________.
agonist; antagonist