CNS synapses and neurotransmitters Flashcards
Pre-synaptic and post-synaptic membranes contain ______________ molecules that bridge the synapse.
cell adhesion molecules
What do scaffolding proteins do?
When transmitters bind to receptors, receptors can change structure and function of the synapses.
Know overview of steps of chemical synapses, pre-synaptic, post-synaptic, and astrocyte.
(slide 8)
Two main types of synaptic transmission:
Ionotropic (Na K Ca+ flux)
Metabotropic (G protein, e.g. Adenylyl cyclase)
kind of both: Metabotropic can send second messenger to open ionotropic channels
What are the 3 main catecholamines?
Dopamine
Norepinephrine (noradrenaline)
Epinephrine (adrenaline)
This name makes up all biogenic amines and indolamines from dopamine to seratonin.
Monoamines
What is a neuropeptide that is a peripheral nerve, spinal cord and is pain related?
Substance P
These are released from POSTsynaptic neuron and acts on PREsynaptic neuron to regulate neurotransmitter release.
Retrograde messengers
This breaks down Acetylcholine into choline and acetyl CoA.
Acetylcholinesterase
WHat is the major excitatory neurotransmitter in the CNS, especially in projection neurons.
L-Glutamate
What mechanism of Glutamate can be involved with memory?
Structural and functional change
Where does glutamate come from?
Metabolism (mitochondria), always floating around, just need to package it into a vesicle.
also Astrocytes
Why is glutamate such a potent neurotransmitter?
It activates sodium channels, and lets sodium in (this is why it is excitatory)
What is a key mechanism for regulating neuronal excitability and synaptic plasticity- critical for learning and memory.
Receptor “trafficking”
EPSPs and Ca++ influx promote insertion of _____ AMPA receptors.
more
Lack of stimulation of IPSP’s can induce ________ of AMPA receptors, creating silent synapses.
removal
This receptor is ligand gated and voltage gated. It amplifies depolarization. Lets Ca++ in. Often over abused drug.
NMDA receptor
Too much stimulation of NMDA can be neurotoxic, why?
too much intracellular Ca++
One good thing about apoptosis is what?
Cell shrivels up and dies, no cytolysis so it doesn’t release it into the environment.
