Neuro Patho Flashcards
2 types of synaptic transmission
Electrical
Chemical
Name of chemical messengers
Neurotransmitters
What is responsible for generating action potentials in electrical transmission?
Ion channels on cell membranes
Define action potential
Impulses that are greater than the membrane threshold which causes rapid change in cell membrane
Another term used to describe the resting membrane potential
Polarized
What is a polarized cell’s charge inside?
Negative
What is a threshold potential?
The membrane’s potential when a cell is optimal for fire
Cell’s charge when it is depolarized?
Positive inside
What is repolarization?
When the cell’s polarity of the resting potential is reestablished. Becomes negative again inside of cell
What is the absolute refractory period?
Period of action potential when membrane cannot respond to anymore stimuli.
What is relative refractory period?
The end of the absolute refractory period when a stronger than normal stimuli can evoke another action potential
When are neurotransmitters used to communicate?
Chemical transmission
How are neurotransmitters received by the postsynaptic neuron in the synapse?
Neurotransmitter binds to receptor sites on postsynaptic neuron
Where does biosynthesis of neurotransmitters take place?
In cytoplasm of axon terminal
Where are neurotransmitters built up and stored?
In synaptic vesicle
What causes the release of a neurotransmitter?
The arrival of an action potential
Pathway of neurotransmitter from vesicle to postsynaptic neuron
Synaptic vesicle to synaptic cleft to receptor site to postsynaptic neuron
2 actions of neurotransmitters
Inhibitory or excitatory
3 ways to inactivate or remove a neurotransmitter.
Diffusion
Enzymatic degradation
Uptake by cells
5 small molecule neurotransmitters
Acetylcholine (ACh) GABA Catecholamines Dopamine Serotonin
Acetylcholine is released from where in sympathetic and parasympathetic divisions in the ANS?
Preganglionic neurons
Acetylcholine is secreted by the postganglionic neurons in…
Parasympathetic nervous system
Somatic motor neurons release what into the Neuromuscular junction (NMJ)?
Acetylcholine
Acetylcholine can be excitatory or inhibitory depending on…
The receptors it attaches to