Lecture 2 - neurons and synapses

Question 1

What are the basic structures in a neuron?

Answer 1

Cell body - contains nucleus and organelles

Dendrites - receives inputs from other neutrons

Axon - transmits signals across distances

Synaptic terminals - neurotransmitter release

Question 2

What did Hodgkin and Huxley find? (1952)

Answer 2

that the negative resting potential of neurons is -70 millivolts

Question 3

What is acetylcholine?

Answer 3

A neurotransmitter at neuromuscular junctions and in the parasympathetic nervous system

Question 4

What does it mean if a neuron is cholinergic?

Answer 4

It releases acetylcholine

Question 5

Examples of drugs that affect cholinergic synapses…

Answer 5

Nicotine - activates cholinergic receptors

Atropine - blocks receptors

Curare - Blocks receptors

Botox - blocks release of acetylcholine

Question 6

What is an agonist?

Answer 6

Mimics the action of the neurotransmitter activating the receptor

Question 7

What is an antagonist?

Answer 7

Occupies the receptor and therefore blocks the action of the neurotransmitter

Question 8

What is the most common excitatory neurotransmitter?

Answer 8

Glutamate

Question 9

What is the most common inhibitory neurotransmitter?

Answer 9

GABA