Lecture 3 ; NS Physio Part 2 / Special Senses Flashcards
When the action potential is propagated down the axon, where does it next arrive ?
The axon terminal
Aka
Synaptic end bulb
Transmission of a neuronal impulse occurs across a
Synapse
Aka neuronal junction between the presynaptic neuron to the post synaptic neuron
After the action potential reaches axon terminal on presynaptic membrane, what is the next step?
Voltage gated calcium channels open and Calcium enters the axon terminal
After calcium enters the presynaptic end bulb after having propagated action potential what happens?
Calcium entry causes neurotransmitter containing vesicles to release their contents via exocytosis
After action potential has reached synaptic end bulb and calcium has caused vesicles to release their neurotransmitters , what happens?
Neurotransmitter diffuses across synaptic cleft and binds to specific receptors on the post synaptic membrane.
Other than Na + what other ions are higher on the outside of a cell?
Calcium and chloride
After neurotransmitter is released from post synaptic membrane and has bound to receptors on post synaptic membrane, what happens ?
Chemically gated channels open on post synaptic membrane giving rise to a graded potential known as a POST SYNAPTIC POTENTIAL or PSP
What is an excitatory post synaptic potential ? EPSP
Graded potential
Cause depolarization of post synaptic neuron
What channels open to produce a EPSP ? Which close ?
Na + or Ca2+ open
Closing of k+
What neurotransmitter most often released to produce EPSP?
Acetylcholine (Ach)
There can be more than one synapse on a cell body. Let’s say there are 3 and all 3 are excitatory , what do you think may happen?
Summation of the 3 EPSPs will create an action potential at axon hillock
The EPSP is on the dendrites or cell body of post synaptic neuron.
What is the threshold potential of this portion of the neuron?
Very high +25mV
Get clarification
T or F Na + influx is greater than K+ efflux
Why
Because the gradient for sodium is much steeper than potassium
What are inhibitory post synaptic potentials ?
When the graded potential on the PS membrane yields hyperpolarization
This is caused by opening of Cl- and K+ gated channels. Cl- moves jn and K moves out.
AP is more difficult
What neurotransmitter most generates IPSPs?
Glycine / GABA
What determines if there will be an action potential on a post synaptic membrane when there are EPSPs and IPSPSs arriving at the post ?
The sum of the EPSPs and IPSPs.
If more EPSPs etc..
What are upper motor neurons ?
The pyramidal cells of the motor cortex and the neurons of the subcortical motor nuclei (part of descending pathway for motor impulse)
What are lower motor neurons?
The ventral horn motor neurons. These directly inner ate the skeletal muscles (the effectors)
At the neuromuscular junction what nT is released ?
Acetylcholine
What is an end plate potential ? What causes it?
An end plate potential is a graded potential on the muscle fiber (end plate)
This occurs after acetylcholine is released into the synaptic cleft and Na+ chemical gates have opened on the end plate of the muscle
Explain why an EPP always generates an action potential on the adjacent sarcolemma.
The depolarization at the end plate is Always enough to generate an Action potential on the adjacent sarcolemma because a lot of acetylcholine is released into synaptic cleft.
Stimuli are detected by receptors which may either be:
A)
B)
Dendrites on unipolar neurons
☀️——–<
Or
Individual cells that synapse on to neurons
What is a receptor potential?
A graded potential that occurs at a sensory receptor membrane
Ie a an individual cell.
What happens when a receptor is stimulated?
1) opening of voltage gated channels, usually Na+ , located on the membrane of the receptor
2) a graded potential occurs on the receptor and the stimulus has now been converted to an electrical stimulus