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PSYC 211 > Lecture 4: Neurotransmitter Receptors > Flashcards

Lecture 4: Neurotransmitter Receptors Flashcards

1
Q

the portion of the DNA that encodes the voltage-gated potassium channel

A

AGA

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2
Q

a portion of DNA that encodes the amino acid arginine

A

AAA

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3
Q

How do ion channels let in potassium (a bigger ion) but not sodium (a smaller ion)?

A

Selectivity filters remove potassium ions’ hydration shells, allowing them to enter the channel. But other ions like sodium are too small for the filter to remove its hydration shell

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4
Q

promoter

A

a region of DNA that initiates transcription of a particular gene

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5
Q

transcription

A

the process of copying a segment of DNA into RNA

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6
Q

the human genome contains ___ distinct genes for the voltage-gated potassium channel

A

40

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7
Q

Neuroglia (glial cells)

A

help traffic neurons and maintain ions’ stability. found all around neurons and even physically encapsulates some

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8
Q

ratio of glial cells to neurons

A

2:1 - 5:1

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9
Q

3 types of glial cells

A

astrocytes, microglia, oligodendrocytes

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10
Q

astrocyte

A

a glial cell that provides physical support and cleans up debris in the brain through phagocytosis. They control the chemical composition of the surrounding environment and help nourish neurons.

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11
Q

microglia

A

small glial cells. They provide an immune system for the brain and protect the brain from invading microorganisms.

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12
Q

Oligodendrocytes

A

produce the myelin sheath, which encapsulates axons

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13
Q

node of Ranvier

A

The exposed axon

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14
Q

one oligodendrocyte produces ____ myelin sheaths

A

50

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15
Q

how do oligodendrocytes produce myelin?

A

During the development of the CNS, they form processes shaped like canoe paddles. Each of the processes then wraps itself many times around a segment of the axon and while doing so, produces layers of myelin that make up the myelin sheath

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16
Q

the only place where a myelinated axon comes into contact with the extracellular fluid is

A

at the node of Ranvier

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17
Q

distribution of sodium in the action potential

A
  1. sodium flow at node generates an action potential
  2. sodium diffuses along the inside of the axolemma to the next node
  3. excitation of voltage-regulated gates will generate the next action potential
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18
Q

t or f: ion channels are found in myelinated areas

A

false; there are almost no ions channels and those that are there have no effect because there is no extracellular fluid outside the membrane

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19
Q

Saltatory conduction

A

the conduction of action potentials by myelinated axons

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20
Q

conduction of action potentials in myelinated axons

A
  1. action potential appears to jump from one node of Ranvier to the next
  2. at each one, the strength of the signal is regenerated with additional voltage-gated sodium channels
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21
Q

the fastest action potentials can travel is

A

100 m/s

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22
Q

the transmission of pain information travels at

A

1 m/s

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23
Q

synapse

A

the function between the axon terminal of the sending neuron and the cell membrane of the receiving neuron

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24
Q

Neurotransmitter

A

a molecule that can have a simple excitatory or inhibitory effect or a complex modulatory effect on the receiving neuron

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25
Q

Synaptic vesicles

A

contain molecules of neurotransmitters. They attach to the presynaptic membrane and release neurotransmitters into the synaptic cleft

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26
Q

synaptic cleft

A

the space between the pre-and postsynaptic membranes. It is filled with extracellular fluid.

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27
Q

presynaptic membrane

A

the membrane of the terminal button (the sending cell). This is where neurotransmitter is released from.

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28
Q

postsynaptic membrane

A

the membrane of the receiving cell that is opposite the axon terminal.

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29
Q

Electron Microscopy

A

Allows us to see small anatomical structures (e.g. synaptic vesicles and details of cell organelles) using a special electron microscope.

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30
Q

ligands

A

signalling molecules that bind to protein receptors

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31
Q

two categories of neurotransmitter receptors

A

ionotropic & metabotropic receptors

32
Q

Ionotropic receptors

A

ion channels

33
Q

Metabotropic receptors

A

protein-coupled receptors that can open ion channels through an intracellular signalling cascade

34
Q

receptors can be located ___ & ____

A

on the cell membrane or inside the cell

35
Q

surface receptors

A

located on the cell membrane

36
Q

intracellular pool of receptors

A

located inside the cell

37
Q

3 types of surface receptors

A

postsynaptic, presynaptic, extrasynaptic receptors

38
Q

postsynaptic receptors

A

located on the postsynaptic membrane

39
Q

presynaptic receptors

A

located on the presynaptic membrane

40
Q

extrasynaptic receptors

A

located somewhere near but outside the synapse

41
Q

binding site

A

located on a receptor protein to which a ligand binds

42
Q

enzymatic deviation

A

destruction of neurotransmitter by enzyme after its release so that the next action potential can be received

43
Q

reuptake

A

reentry of a neurotransmitter just liberated by a terminal button back through its membrane, thus terminating postsynaptic potential

44
Q

Postsynaptic potential

A

Alterations in the membrane potential of a postsynaptic neuron, produced by neurotransmitter release into the synapse and receptor activation.

45
Q

excitatory

A

an influx of positive sodium ions depolarizes the cell

46
Q

inhibitory

A

an influx of negative chloride ions hyperpolarizes the cell

47
Q

Depolarization

A

When the membrane potential of a cell becomes less negative than it normally is at rest.

48
Q

hyperpolarization

A

When the membrane potential of a cell becomes more negative than it normally is at rest

49
Q

Excitatory Postsynaptic Potential (EPSP)

A

Excitatory depolarization of postsynaptic membrane caused by neurotransmitter binding to a postsynaptic receptor protein.

50
Q

Inhibitory Postsynaptic Potential (IPSP)

A

Inhibitory hyperpolarization of the cell is caused by neurotransmitter binding to a postsynaptic receptor protein.

51
Q

neural integration

A

The excitatory and inhibition synapses on a particular neuron

52
Q

EPSPs and action potentials

A

To trigger an action potential, many EPSPs have to occur at nearly the same time. Sodium ions have to come in at a faster rate than potassium ions can leave in order to depolarize the membrane to the threshold of action

53
Q

IPSPs _____ the likelihood that the cell will fire

A

decrease

54
Q

what determines the direction of the postsynaptic potential (EPSP vs IPSP)

A

the receptor

55
Q

Interneuron

A

a neuron internally contained within the brain and the spinal cord

56
Q

can we override reflexes?

A

yes, if we consciously try we can. the cortical neuron could send an action potential down the spinal cord to excite an inhibitory interneuron, which is a neuron that generally causes IPSCs in downstream neurons. This interneuron would induce IPSCs in the motor neuron and block (counteract) the withdrawal reflex

57
Q

t or f: Neural excitation = behavioural excitation.

A

false

58
Q

t or f: Neural inhibition = behavioural inhibition

A

false

59
Q

receptor protein

A

a protein that is sensitive to and capable of communicating some signal

60
Q

Most cell signalling and cell communication occur through

A

ligand-receptor interactions

61
Q

how do ionotropic receptors determine if they will produce EPSPs or IPSPs?

A

the properties of the pore determine if it will let in positively charged sodium ions and increase the likelihood of firing an action potential (EPSPs) or negatively charged chloride ions and decrease the likelihood of firing an action potential (IPSPs)

62
Q

how do metabotropic receptors mediate their effects?

A

activating g proteins

63
Q

g proteins

A

proteins that bind to the GTP molecule instead of ATP for the energy they need to perform chemical reactions

64
Q

when are g proteins on

A

when they are bound to GTP because in this state they can trigger chemical reactions

65
Q

what happens when g proteins are off

A

they are not bound to GTP and the g protein is converted from GTP to GDP making the g protein inactivated

66
Q

can g proteins gate ion channels?

A

yes

67
Q

where can synapses form?

A

between the axon terminals and
1. Dendrites (dendritic shafts)
2. Dendritic spines
3. The soma (cell body)
4. Other axons terminals (axoaxonic synapses)

68
Q

Axoaxonic synapses

A

regulate the amount of neurotransmitter that the second neuron will release when it has an action potential

69
Q

Presynaptic inhibition

A

axoaxonic synapse can hyperpolarize the axon terminal of the downstream neuron so that its voltage-gated calcium channels will not open at all or for very long when an action potential arrives. The net effect is to reduce neurotransmitter release when it has an action potential

70
Q

Presynaptic facilitation

A

axoaxonic synapses can depolarize the axon terminal of the downstream neuron so that its voltage-gated calcium channels are more likely to open when an action potential arrives. The net effect is to increase neurotransmitter release when the cell has an action potential

71
Q

what is the main source of presynaptic inhibition

A

autoreceptors

72
Q

autoreceptors

A

a receptor located on the presynaptic membrane that gets activated when the cell releases its own neurotransmitter

73
Q

metabolism

A

chemical reactions that occur inside cells

74
Q

if the space between nodes of Ranvier was increased, the action potential would…

A

fail to propagate

75
Q

nodes of ranvier function

A

allow the action potential to quickly skip along unmyelinated portions of the axon

PSYC 211 (23 decks)

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