Lecture 3: Structure And Function Of Synapses

Question 1

What type of neurotransmitter elicits fast acting effects on muscle membrane?

Answer 1

Acetylcholine (ach)

Question 2

Cocaine and amphetamines directly affect dopamine signaling by interfering with dopamine ________ into the presynaptic neuron

Answer 2

reuptake

Question 3

Where a neuron and a postsynaptic cell communicate is called the _______

Answer 3

synapse

Question 4

Each nerve cell makes and receives up to how many synaptic connections with others?

Answer 4

10,000

Question 5

Conducts impulses toward the synapse

Answer 5

presynaptic neuron

Question 6

Conducts impulses away from the synapse

Answer 6

postsynaptic neuron

Question 7

There are two types of synapses; what are they?

Answer 7

Chemical synapse

Electrical synapse

Question 8

An increase in the strength or duration of an excitatory stimulus to the presynaptic cell results in the release of _______ quantities of neurotransmitter

Answer 8

greater

Question 9

The place between the two terminals

Answer 9

synaptic cleft

Question 10

Chemicals that transmit information across the cleft

Answer 10

neurotransmitters

Question 11

distance between pre and post cell membrane: 3.5 nm
gap junction
cytoplasmic continuity between pre to post synaptic cell
agent of transmission : ion current
virtually no synaptic delay
bi-directional direction of transmission

Answer 11

Electrical Synapses

Question 12

distance between pre and post cell membrane: 20-40 nm
Synaptic cleft
NO cytoplasmic continuity between pre to post synaptic cell
agent of transmission : chemical neurotransmitter
synaptic delay of 1-5 ms or longer
uni-directional direction of transmission

Answer 12

Chemical Synapses

Question 13

Axon to dendrite synapses are called

Answer 13

Axodendritic

Question 14

Axon to axon synapses are called

Answer 14

Axoaxonic

Question 15

Axon to cell body synapses are called

Answer 15

Axosomatic

Question 16

Dendrite to dendrite synapses are called

Answer 16

dendrodendritic

Question 17

The advantage of using neurotransmitters it that the nerve impulse can be given some more ____________

Answer 17

specificity

Question 18

Neurotransmitters can control the operation of the nervous system by __________ or __________

Answer 18

inhibition

exhibition

Question 19

Signal can be modulated (amplified or degraded) based on specific type of ________ ___________

Answer 19

synaptic connections

Question 20

Local changes in ion concentration across the post synaptic membrane are called:

Answer 20

post-synaptic potentials

Question 21

Local depolarization allowing the flow of NA+ or Ca2+ into the neuron (ex. Ach in muscle)

Answer 21

EPSP

excitatory post synaptic potential

Question 22

Local hyperpolarization allowing the flow of Cl- into the cell or K+ out of the cell

Answer 22

ISPS

Inhibitory post synaptic potential

Question 23

How do the multiple inputs combine to determine the output firing pattern of a neuron?

Answer 23

Synaptic integration: spatial and temporal summation

Question 24

Released at specific synapses
act DIRECTLY on postsynaptic ion channels (ionotropic) of a neuron or activate proteins (metabotropic) inside the postsynaptic neuron

Answer 24

neurotransmitters

Question 25

released into extracellular space affect a group of neurons manifest more slowly and last longer than neurotransmitters

Answer 25

Neuromodulators

Question 26

List the types of neurotransmitters (7) (AGGDNSS)

Answer 26

``` Acetylcholine Glutamate GABA Dopamine Norepinephrine Serotonin Substance P ```

Question 27

All neurons that synapse with skeletal muscles use _________ to elicit fast-acting effects on muscle membrane

Answer 27

Acetylcholine

Question 28

Ach is an Excitatory neurotransmitter found in neuromuscular junctions involved in ________ ____________

Answer 28

muscular contractions

Question 29

In the brain, Ach acts as a slow ______________ in control of movement and attention

Answer 29

neuromodulator

Question 30

________ works on Ach receptors by mimicking Ach. It can artificially move skeletal muscles, leading to slight trembling movements

Answer 30

Nicotine

Question 31

low levels of Ach are found in those with __________ _______

Answer 31

Alzheimer's disease

Question 32

What is the major, fast excitatory neurotransmitter of the CNS?

Answer 32

glutamate

Question 33

Too much glutamate is involved in _________ _________

Answer 33

epileptic seizures

Question 34

__________ is involved with learning and development

Answer 34

glutamate

Question 35

The release of neurotransmitters from an axon terminal can be ___________ or _________ by the chemical action at the axoaxonic synapse

Answer 35

facilitated | inhibited

Question 36

The most prevalent fast-acting neurotransmitters are _________ (excitatory) and ____ (inhibitory)

Answer 36

glutamate | GABA

Question 37

When in low supply, this neurotransmitter can cause neural over-activity (ie seizures and unwanted skeletal muscle contractions) and anxiety

Answer 37

GABA

Question 38

_______ mimics GABA

Answer 38

Alcohol

Question 39

__________ _______ involves loss of neurons in striatum that utilize GABA Symptoms: Jerky involuntary movements and mental deterioration

Answer 39

Huntington's disease

Question 40

_________, __, _________, and _________ function as slow acting neurotransmitters and neuromodulators

Answer 40

Dopamine Ne Serotonin Histamine

Question 41

Affects motor activity, cognition, and behavior Involved in movement, attention, and learning Also pleasure and rewarding sensations

Answer 41

Dopamine

Question 42

Too much dopamine is involved in ____________

Answer 42

Schizophrenia

Question 43

Parkinson's disease: loss of ________ -producing neurons in the substantial nigra symptoms include: difficulty starting and stopping voluntary movements tremors at rest stooped posture rigidity poor balance

Answer 43

dopamine

Question 44

What neurotransmitter is responsible for around and increasing attention to sensory information?

Answer 44

NE

Question 45

Excessive levels of NE can produce _____ _______, the abrupt onset of intense terror and hallucinations combined with signs of increased sympathetic nervous system activity

Answer 45

panic disorder

Question 46

PTSD often involves excessive ___

Answer 46

NE

Question 47

Low levels of NE are found while sleeping and in those with __________

Answer 47

depression

Question 48

Involved in mood, perception of pain, general arousal level, and can suppress sensory information

Answer 48

Serotonin

Question 49

Highest levels occurs with alertness and lowest levels occur during REM sleep

Answer 49

serotonin

Question 50

Prozac works by keeping serotonin in the _______ longer, giving to more time to exert an effect

Answer 50

synapse

Question 51

One of the most common nucleopeptides

Answer 51

Substance P

Question 52

In PNS, substance P stimulates nerve endings to transmit ____ messages to the brain

Answer 52

pain

Question 53

In CNS, P acts as a ______________, producing long-duration excitation of postsynaptic cells.

Answer 53

neuromodulator

Question 54

Modulates the immune system and neuronal activity in times of high stress

Answer 54

substance P

Question 55

Synaptic receptors are typically named for the neurotransmitters to which they ____.

Answer 55

Bind

Question 56

The effects of a neurotransmitter is based not one the chemical itself, but one the type of _________ to which it binds

Answer 56

receptor

Question 57

Lock and key analogy: _______ lock ________ Key

Answer 57

receptor site | neurotransmitter

Question 58

Ionotropic receptors have _____ synaptic transmission, directly activating the ion channels

Answer 58

fast

Question 59

Metibotropic receptors have ____ synaptic transmission and act through G proteins. They can cause persistent opening of membrane channels

Answer 59

slow

Question 60

The ______ _________ ______ is responsible for some of the most profound, longest lasting changes in the nervous system

Answer 60

second messenger system

Question 61

effect of drugs on nervous system tissues

Answer 61

neuropharmacology

Question 62

mimics actions of naturally occurring neurotransmitters

Answer 62

Agonist

Question 63

Impedes the effects of a naturally occurring transmitter such as preventing the release of neurotransmitter or binding to the receptors

Answer 63

Antagonists

Question 64

Describe Myasthenia Gravis

Answer 64

Damage to the nicotinic postsynaptic receptors on muscle cells Adequate Ach is being produced but few receptors are available for binding Repetitive use of muscles leads to weakness and fatigue Improves after periods of rest

Question 65

Describe Lamber-Eaton syndrome

Answer 65

Damage to voltage-gated Ca2+ channels in presynaptic terminal Decreased release of Ca2+ into neurotransmitter Decreased excitation of muscle Lead to muscle weakness