lecture 3 - microstructure

Question 1

What does EPSP stand for and what does it produce?

Answer 1

Excitatory Postsynaptic Potential; it produces depolarization of the postsynaptic cell.

Question 2

Which neurotransmitter is the most abundant in the CNS?

Answer 2

Glutamate

Question 3

What are the key excitatory neurotransmitters?

Answer 3

• Norepinephrine/noradrenaline
• Dopamine
• Serotonin (5HT)
• Histamine
• Acetylcholine (ACh)

Question 4

what are the key inhibitory neurotransmitters

Answer 4

• GABA
• Glycine

Question 5

What neurotransmitter system is associated with the midbrain?

Answer 5

Dopaminergic system (SN/VTA)

Question 6

What criteria define a neurotransmitter?

Answer 6

1. Synthesized by and localized within presynaptic neuron
2. Released by the presynaptic neuron when action potential depolarizes terminal
3. Postsynaptic neuron contains receptors specific for the neurotransmitter
4. When artificially applied to postsynaptic cell, it elicits the same response as stimulating presynaptic neuron

Question 7

Fill in the blank: The mechanism that pumps neurotransmitters back into the presynaptic terminal is called _______.

Answer 7

reuptake mechanism

Question 8

What is enzymatic breakdown in the context of neurotransmitters?

Answer 8

An enzyme breaks down the neurotransmitter, losing its functionality (e.g., ACh by AChE).

Question 9

what is passive diffusion?

Answer 9

mechanism in which some NTs float away

Question 10

Which neurotransmitter is abundant in the PNS?

Answer 10

Glycine

Question 11

Fill in the blank: Glutamate is synthesized basically _______ throughout the brain.

Answer 11

anywhere