Chemistry of Behavior Flashcards
What is an antagonist
substances that blocks or reduces actions of a transmitter
Examples of antagonist, what do they block, what do they cause?
curare and bungarotoxin are poisons that block acetylcholine receptors and causes paralysis
exogenous
substance arising from outside the body
endogenous
substance arising from inside the body
What makes a brain chemical a neurotransmitter?
i. synthesized and stored in axon terminals
ii. released when actional potentials reach the terminals
iii. Recognized by specific receptors location on the postsynaptic membrane
iv. causes changes in the postsynaptic cell
v. blocking its release interferes with the ability of the presynaptic cell to affect the postsynaptic cell
Major categories of neurotransmitters
Major categories of neurotransmitters
What are amino acid neurotransmitters?
able to transmit a nerve message across a synapse.
Major categories of neurotransmitters
What are peptide neurotransmitters?
chemical messengers made up of small chains of amino acids that are synthesized and released by neurons.
Major categories of neurotransmitters
What are amine neurotransmitters?
neurotransmitters that are based on the modifications of a single amino acid nucleus
What are gas neurotransmitters?
neurotransmitters that are soluble gases
soluble; dissolve
Name three amino acid neurotransmitters
GABA
glycine
glutamate
neurotramsitters
What is glutamate?
most common excitatory transmitter, makes GABA
neurotransmitters
what is GABA?
gamma-aminobutyric acid
the most widespread inhibitory transmitter. produces a calming effect
What is co-localization?
he presence of two or more molecules in the same area
name one peptide neurotransmitters
neuropeptides
name three amine neurotransmitters
acetylcholine
serotonin
dopamine
name two gas neurotransmitters
nitric oxide
carbon monoxide
pathway of cholinergic
basal forebrain to cortex, amygdala, and hippocampus
pathways of dopaminergic for mesolimbortical pathway
ventral tegmental area (VTA) to nucleus accumbens and cortex
pathways of dopaminergic for mesotrisatal pathway
substantia nigra to basal ganglia
pathway of noradrenergic
(i) lateral tegmental area to brainstem and spinal cord
(ii) locus coeruleus to forebrain
pathway of serotonergic
midbrain raphe nuclei to forebrain, brainstem raphe nuclei to spinal cord
function(s) of acetylcholine
(ACh)
used at neuromuscular junction (muscle contraction)
used in the ANS
memory, arousal, attention in the brain
name the opiates
morphine
heroin
fentanyl
endogenous opioids
