Lesson 14 Flashcards
synapse
point where an axon terminal meets the next cell
electrical synapse
direct physical contact between cells, links cytoplasm of adjacent cells
electrical synapse characteristics (4)
- locked together at gap junctions (connexons)
- allows ions to pass between cells
- produce continuous local current and action potential propagation
- found in areas of the brain, eye, ciliary ganglia (PNS), cardiac muscle cells
chemical synapse
signal transmitted across a gap by chemical neurotransmitters; cells do not touch
who discovered the synaptic cleft?
Ramon y Cajal
how did Otto Loewi demonstrate that neurons can communicate by releasing chemicals?
Flooded exposed hearts of two frogs with saline, stimulated the vagus nerve of the first frog and its heart slowed. He removed the saline from the first frog and found found it slowed heart rate of the second frog.
where do electrical synapses occur?
neurons, neuroglia, cardiac, and single-unit smooth muscle
advantage of electrical synapses
much faster, no delay for release, diffusion, and binding of neurotransmitter
disadvantages of electrical synapses
cannot integrate information
synaptic cleft
gap between presynaptic neuron and postsynaptic neuron; typically only 20 um wide
postsynaptic density
the postsynaptic neuron membrane contains a certain density of neurotransmitter receptors and ion channels
synaptic delay
since chemical synapses are not directly in contact with the postsynaptic cell and require the release of a neurotransmitter to stimulate/inhibit the target cell, there is delay of 0.2-0.5 msec
If information is being passed along a series of neurons…
the fewer synapses found between the transmission of the information means the faster response; important for reflexes
synaptic fatigue
occurs when neurotransmitters cannot recycle fast enough to meet demands of intense stimuli
two major chemical categories of neurotransmitters
- acetylcholine
- amino acids
acetylecholine
formed from acetic acid and choline
amino acids
include glycine, glutamate, aspartate, and y-aminobutyric acid (GABA)
monoamines (biogenic amines)
synthesized from amino acids; ex. serotonin and the catecholamines
catecholamines
epinephrine, norepinephrine, and dopamine
serotonin
a CNS neurotransmitter that affects attention and emotional states. decreased serotonin production may be responsible for some cases of severe chronic depression
norepinephrine (NE)
aka noradenaline; released at adrenergic synapses; has excitatory and depolarizing effects and is widely distributed in the brain and portions of the ANS
dopamine
a CNA neurotransmitter that may be excitatory or inhibitory that is used for movement control. Damage to neurons that produce dopamine involved in Parkinson’s disease and cocaine use
monoamines affect the cell _____
indirectly, through a second messenger system (G protien)
gases
nitric acid (NO) and carbon monoxide (CO) synthesized as needed rather than store in vesicles; these gases affect cells by diffusing into a cell and affecting intracellular enzymes
neuropeptides
chains of 2-40 amino acids; ex. cholecystokinin (CCK) and endorphins; indirect effect
- stores in large secretory granules
- function as hormones or neuromodulators
endorphins relieve pain perception by inhibiting the release of the neuropeptide _____ at synapses that relay pain sensations
substance P
three kind of synapses
- excitatory cholinergic synapse (ACh)
- inhibitory GABA-ergic synapse (GABA)
- excitatory adrenergic synapse (NE)
cholinergic synpase
acetylcholine is the neurotransmitter; located between all neuromuscular junctions, many CNS synapses, all neuron-to-neuron, neuromuscular synapses in the PNS