neurochemicals Flashcards
acetylcholine works in the _____ and ____ nervous systems.
central and peripheral nervous systems
how is acetylcholine synthesized?
from the chemical precursor choline found in high concentration in lipids and acetates are combined
acetylcholine is stored in ______ until it is docked and released into the ______.
vesicles
synapses
once released into the synapse, acetylcholine binds what two receptors?
muscarinic
nicotinic
any remaining acetylcholine left in the synaptic cleft following the neurotransmission and reuptake will be scavenged by?
acetylcholinesterase
acetylcholine and acetylcholinesterase combined will result in what two products?
acetate and choline
describe the reuptake process for acetylcholine?
the remaining choline in the synapse is returned to the presynaptic neuron by specific choline transporters to be recycled and repackaged to be used to make more acetylcholine in the future.
the remaining choline in the synapse is returned to the presynaptic neuron by specific _____ transporters to be recycled and repackaged, to be used to make more ______ in the future.
choline
acetylcholine
the process of acetylcholinesterase and reuptake, prevent acetylcholine length of time in the synaptic cleft, preventing what?
over activation of target receptors
what neurotransmitter is released at every neuromuscular junction?
acetylcholine
name the two main functions of acetylcholine?
skeletal musculature contraction throughout the body and mediation of cognition
increased acetylcholine activity equals _____ memory.
enhanced
disruption of acetylcholine activity equals ______ memory.
Give a example of a condition.
impaired
alzheimers disease
name the three catecholamines?
dopamine
norepinephrine (noradrenaline)
epinephrine (adrenaline)
list the catecholamine pathway from start to finish which ends with norepinephrine or epinephrine
phenylalnine to l-tyrosine to l-dopa to dopamine to norepinephrine or epinephrine
What is present in neurons that allow the production of norepinephrine and epinephrine from dopamine?
additional enzymes
name the two processes that ensure once the neurotransmission of the catecholamine have occured, that removal and deactivation to prevent overstimulation of the post synaptic neuron will occur?
reuptake and degradation
reuptake of catecholamines which is a process by which the cell secretes the neurotransmitter and reabsorbs it occurs through what two types of transporters?
dopamine transporters
norepinephrine transporter
deactivation of catecholamines occurs with the use of what two enzymes?
Monoamines Oxidase (MAO)
Catalo Methyltransferase (COMT)
distribution of the dopamine neurons project from what two sources?
ventral tegmental and substantial niagara
distribution of the dopamine neurons project from the ventral tegmental and substantial niagrara and then project to many forebrain areas such as?(4)
striatum
cortical regions
- prefrontal cortex
l
distributions of the norepinephrine neurons are found where in the brain?
brain stem
- medulla
- pons
thalamus
hypothalamus
limbic system
corted
The vesicles that store serotonin await _____ ______, which will result in the docking and exocytosis of the stored serotonin.
depolarizing signal
dopamine regulates psychological symptoms associated with what psychological condition?
schizophrenia
Dopamine transporters have been implicated in ________ deficit or _______ disorder
attention deficit
hyperactivity disorder
Dopaminergic cell bodies in the _______ _______ control movment with their disruption leading to parkinsons disease.
substantia niagara
Dopamine pathways involving the ______ _______ and linked areas manage, the brains reward circuit, reinforcing behavoir that may be good or bad for the individual.
Nucleus Accumbens
functions of the norepinephrine system include what seven factors?
just remember “oh aorta!”
your going to need some norepinephrine if the baroreceptors in the aorta signal for help.
O-other motivations
H- Hunger
A-Attention
O-Orientation
R-Reward
T-Thirst
A-Analgesia
disruptions in the norepinephrine system may be involved in what two conditions?
Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
Depression
_____ cannot readily cross the blood brain barrier
serotonin
CNS neurons possess the capacity to manufacture serotonin readily depending on the adequate and timely supply of its basic amino acid _______ .
tryptophan
List the three steps of the serotonin production in CNS neurons
- Entry of diet derived trypophan into the neuron
- Tryptophan is transformed by the enzyme tryptophan hydroxylase into five HTP
- A second enzyme aromatic amino acid decarboxylase metabolizes 5 HTP into serotonin
The serontonin system is sensitive to the levels of tryptophan so diets high in ________ can cause significant effects on serotonin production.
tryptophan
Serotonin is also abbreviated ________.
5 HTP
Any interruption in the enzymatic reactions used to produce serotonin can alter the brain’s _____ levels.
serotonin
Serotonin is moved about and stored in vesicles by a ________ ________.
serotonin transporter
The vesicles where serotonin is stored reside in the terminal portion of the _______ near the docking and release sites on the inner perimeter of the _______ _______.
axon
presynaptic membrane
the release of serotonin is under the control of _____ _____, which are intimately responsive to feedback, meaning they modulate its production and release.
auto receptors
after discharge of serotonin by the vesicle into the synaptic cleft, the serotonin will do what?
bind with receptors.
Following the binding of serotonin with receptors, the excess serotonin left in the synaptic cleft will be controlled by what two processes?
reuptake and enzymatic degradation.
describe the reuptake of serotonin?
a specific transporter located to the presynaptic neuronal membrane removes surplus serotonin from the synapses
what is the name of the transporter in serotonin reuptake?
serotonin transporter (SERT)
describe enzymatic degradation of serotonin?
inactivates any excess serotonin
A great concentration of serotonin containing cell bodies is in the brainstem area known as the ______ _______.
raffay nuclei
The SErotonergic Neurons in the raffay nuclei send extensive projections to many other parts of the brain such as (6)?
Forebrain
Hippocampus
Thalamus
Hypothalamus
Cerebrellum
Midbrain
Serotonin mediates the following activities (12)?
remember farmhands put happiness in every day.
F-food intake
A-arousal
R-respiration
M-overall mood
H-hormone release
A- attention
N- Nociception
D- Dreaming Aggresion
S-sleep
P- blood pressure
U-uterine activities
T- body temperature
what is frequently called the happiness neurotransmitter?
serotonin
what is the neurotransmitter that is the primary target of antidepressants?
serotonin
Amino Acid Transmitters are prevalant in the _______.
brain
amino acid neurotransmitters can be divided into what two types?
excitatory amino acid neurotransmitters
inhibitory amino acid neurotransmitters
what are the two prinicpal excitatory amino acid neurotransmitters?
Aspartate
Glutamate
receptors for ______ can be found on most neurons suggesting an important regulatory role for this excitatory substance.
glutamate
glutamate is derived from?
nonessential amino acid
glutamate is synthesized during?
the body’s normal utilization of the sugar glucose
glutamate is the precursor for?
gaba
What acts on glutamate to form GABA?
glutamic acid decarboxylase
the precursor for glutamate is _____.
glutamine
glutamine is produced in large pools in the _______.
glial
glutamine leaves the glial and travels to the ______ ______ where it is coverted by means of the enzyme ________ to glutamate.
terminal boutons
glutaminase
Once glutamate is produced it is stored in vesicles, that when depolarized will react to the influx of _______, the vesicles release their contents (______) causing an excitatory response.
calcium
glutamate
list the steps of glutamate synthesis
- glutamine leaves the glial and travels to the terminal boutons
- Glutamine is coverted by the enzyme glutaminase to glutamate
- glutamate is stored in vesicles
- when the vesicles are depolarized, react to the influx of calcium and release glutamate
- glutamate release stimulates an excitatory response.
once glutamate is released into the synapses, it activates a number of receptors such as (3)?
NMDA receptors
AMPA receptors
KAINATE receptors
One major role for glutamate in the CNS is regulation of the ____ and _______ functions (particularly those associated with cognitive activities)
cortical and subcortical functions
Another major role for glutamate in the CNS is regulation of glutamate in the ______ with AMPA and NMDA, implicated in the brain’s plasticity and learning memory processes.
hippocampus
Alterations in glutamate levels you can see cognitive impairment such as _________ disease.
Alzheimer’s
Over excitation of NMDA receptors = ___________
especially following what?
neurotoxicity
brain injury such as ischemia or hypoxic or anoxic brain injury
Name the two inhibitory amino acids?
GABA
glycine
Name the principal inhibiotry CNS transmitter?
GABA
GABA neurons wide distribution is due to _________. and _________ synthesis which involves glucose metabolism
intra neuronal and extra neuronal
GABA is actually formed from ___________.
glutamate
GABA is stored in vesicles at the terminal end of the axon, awaiting docking and release following the receipt fo the ______ _______.
action potential
Once released into the synaptic cleft, GABA binds to what two receptors?
GABA-A receptors
GABA-B receptors
GABA-A receptor binding causes what to happen?
when GABA binds to GABA-A receptors, the chloride ion channels open allowing an influx of chloride ions into the intracellular space, causing hyperpolarization of the postsynaptic neuron. the neuron is made significantly more negative, making it harder to get it to fire in response to an action potential. Thus,why GABA is called an inhibitory neurotransmitter
what happens when GABA-B receptors are binded to?
open potassium channels allowing potassium efflux out of the cell, hyperpolarizing the postsynaptic neuron like GABA-A receptors.
Following the release of GABA, the main mechanism by which GABA is inactivated is through ______.
reuptake
Reuptake of GABA is accomplished through multiple?
GABA transporters (GATs)
Enzymatic degradation inactivated surplus GABA in the synaptic cleft following binding with receptors , by means of the enzyme _______________ .
GABA Oxoglutarate Transaminase (GABA GABA T)
GABA is involved in what four events?
Remember ALSS
A-anxiety
L-learning
S-stress
S-seizures and epileptic activity
Seizures represent misfiring of the electrical activity of the brain with an outwardly speading neural wave to incorporate other?
areas of the brain
______ has shown to regulate some seizure activity.
GABA
GABA’s augmentation in regions such as the _____ and _______ can ameliorate the seizure activity
amygdala and hippocampus
Drugs that specifically target the GABA-A receptors are effective ________.
anxiolytics
if you increase an __________ neurotransmitter, you will more likely to feel more relaxed.
inhibitory
Alcohol targets _____________ receptors, making you more relaxed.
GABA-A receptors.
neurotransmitters are released by activated neurons and travel across the _____ and activate specific receptors on the receiving neuron
synapse
the leading neuroscientist believe that the actual number of neurochemicals exceeds what number?
100
what synthesizes a neurotransmitter, where is it released, where is it recieved?
synthesized in neurons, released across the synaptic cleft, recieved by specific receptors in the recieving neuron
what is the name of a peptid that is a neurotransmitter?
given an example of one
neuropeptide
endogenous opioids
neurohormones are released by the ______ into circulation and travels to target ____, where it is recieved by specific receptors?
neuron
organ
what is a neuromodulator and what does it do?
neurochemical that modifies an exisiting synaptic circuit in some way.
give two examples of neurohormones?
oxytocin and vasopressin (AVP)
Neuromodulators are chemicals that influence what?
ongoing synaptic activity either enhancing or impeding neuronal transmission.
Neuromodulators can activate or deactivate an exisitng neurochemical system
true or false
false
they use a variety of strategies to enhance or diminish the existing neurochemicl actions and relationships
acetylcholine is widely distributed throughout the brain, and its involved in many brain activities taht require ________ and ________.
adaptability and flexibility
disruptions of the CNS acetylcholine neurotransmission can ________ memory
impair
in some areas of the brain the catecholamine pathway ends at _______ and does not continue to norepinephrine or epinephrine.
dopamine
once the catecholamine is released and has acted on the postsynaptic neuron its rapid ______ and _______ is critical.
removal and deactivation
The limibic system also receives substantial dopamine inputs to the _______, __________, and the _________. there is also dopamine cell bodies in the hypothalamus.
amygdala
hippocampus
septum
name three foods rich in tryptophan?
milk
bananas
turkey
tryptophan is transformed by the enzyme ______ _______ into 5 HTP
tryptophan hydroxylase
a second enzyme _____ _________ ______ ______ metabolized 5 HTP into serotonin
aromatic amino acid decarboxylase
