lecture 6: Neurons, neurotransmitters, drugs and mental function

Question 1

synapse

Answer 1

• the means by which neurons communicate with other neurons and muscle fibres

Question 2

how does the communication between neurons change

Answer 2

it changes from electrical to chemical at the synapse and then back to electrical

Question 3

what is the gap between the axon terminal and dendrite called

Answer 3

synaptic cleft

Question 4

neurotransmitter

Answer 4

• when an action potential arrives at an axon terminal a special chemical called a neurotransmitter is released at the synaptic cleft
• receptors at the post synaptic neuron respond to the neurotransmitter and generate a graded potential

Question 5

synaptic cleft

Answer 5

the small space between the axon terminal of a presynaptic neuron and the dendrite of a postsynaptic neuron where chemical signals are released and diffuse to transmit signals across the synapse

Question 6

vesicles

Answer 6

• key organelles in neurotransmitter release at synapses
• small membrane bound sacs that store and release neurotransmitters at synapses, facilitating communication between neurons

Question 7

drugs can have an effect by altering neurotransmitter ..

Answer 7

• synthesis
• storage
• release
• binding
• reuptake

Question 8

synthesis

Answer 8

some drugs might increase or reduce amount of drug that is available

Question 9

storage

Answer 9

chemical has to be stored in the vesicles, some drugs make these vesicles leaky so that when the vesicle releases the neurotransmitter, there is less neurotransmitter

Question 10

release

Answer 10

process of vesicles going to the membrane and releasing the neurotransmitter, some drugs interrupt this

Question 11

binding

Answer 11

molecule interacts with the receptors on the dendrite, some drugs block these receptors so the molecule is floating around but there are no receptors for it

Question 12

reuptake

Answer 12

impact re uptake mechanism, so chemical sits in synapse for longer, going to get a signal that is stronger than it normally would be

Question 13

agonists

Answer 13

drugs that bind to a receptor of a cell and trigger a response
- an agonist often mimics the action of a naturally occurring substance
- an indirect agonist enhances the release or action of an endogenous neurotransmitter

Question 14

antagonist

Answer 14

drugs that block or suppress agonist mediated responses

Question 15

what are the advantages of having multiple chemicals

Answer 15

can make sure one particular signal doesnt interact with some other signal
- signals will be picked up by different systems

Question 16

acetylcholine

Answer 16

• example of a neurotransmitter in the brain
• has receptors in the CNS for this, appears to be involved in processes to do with memory
• neurons which interact with the muscle fibres causing them to contract, always transmitted through ACH

Question 17

dopamine

Answer 17

• a crucial neurotransmitter and hormone in the brain, playing a vital role in reward, motivation, movement, and other functions

Question 18

parkinsons disease

Answer 18

• affects approx 1% of the population
• caused by changes in neurotransmission
  symptoms:
• tremors
• muscular rigidity
• slowness of movement
• postural instability
• involuntary shifts of posture (dystonia and dyskinesia)
• shuffling, wide based gait with forward leaning posture
• leading to festination

Question 19

schizophrenia

Answer 19

• impacts 1% of the population
  positive symptoms:
• delusions
• hallucinations
• disorganised thinking
  negative symptoms:
• blunted affect
• poverty of speech and thought
• apathy
  cognitive symptoms:
• poor working memory
• disruption in executive function and attention

Question 20

deep brain stimulation

Answer 20

• generating little electrical pulses, artificially causes neurons to generate APs, can cause certain neurons in the deep part of brain to be activated and send APs which can suppress parkinsons