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Neurosciences > Neurochemistry > Flashcards

Neurochemistry Flashcards

1
Q

Area within the synaptic terminal where a neurotransmitter is stored

A

Synaptic vesicle

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2
Q

Processes required for release of the neurotransmitter to the postsynaptic neuron

A

Membrane fusion

Exocytosis

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3
Q

Area the neurotransmitter occupies post synapse

A

Postsynaptic neuronal membrane

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4
Q

Activity the neurotransmitter has on the presynaptic neuron which is important for feedback inhibition

A

Autoreceptor activity

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5
Q

Model for the idea that only a particular chemical shape can be accommodated by a particular receptor site

A

Lock and key

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6
Q

Type of binding of neurotransmitters where the receptor changes back to its previous state once the neurotransmitter breaks down

A

Reversible

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7
Q

Type of binding where the neurotransmitter structurally alters the receptor site

A

Irreversible

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8
Q

Idea that the relative concentrations of different molecules decide what binds to the receptor

A

Competitive receptor binding

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9
Q

Ways a neurotransmitter can cease to be active at a receptor site

A

Reuptake back to the presynaptic neuron
Enzymatic breakdown
Removal by glia or plasma circulation

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10
Q

Neurotransmitters that are monoamines

A 
Dopamine
Adrenaline
Noradrenaline
Serotonin
Histamine
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11
Q

Neurotransmitters that are amino acids

A

GABA
Glycine
Glutamate
Aspartate

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12
Q

Neurotransmitters that are peptides

A 
Endorphins
Cholecystokinin
Neurotensin
Neuropeptide Y
Leptin
Ghrelin
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13
Q

Three categories of receptors

A

Ligand gated - ionotropic
G protein coupled - metabotropic
Nuclear

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14
Q

Speed of response of ionotropic vs. metabotropic recptors

A

Ionotropic faster than metabotropic

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15
Q

Ion that enters in inhibitory neurotransmitter action of ionotropic receptors

A

Cl-

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16
Q

Ion that enters in excitatory neurotransmitter action on ionotropic receptors

A

Ca2+ or other cations

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17
Q

Examples of ionotropic receptors

A

GABA a
NMDA
5HT3

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18
Q

Excitatory proteins that act on metabotropic receptors

A

Gs

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19
Q

Inhibitory proteins that act on metabotropic receptors

A

Gi

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20
Q

Examples of metabotropic receptors

A

Dopamine receptors
5HT receptors except 5HT3
Opioid receptors

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21
Q

Substances made in the synthesis of dopamine

A

Phenylalanine (essential amino acid)
Tyrosine (can also start with tyrosine, a non-essential amino acid)
L-dopa
Dopamine

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22
Q

Enzyme which is the rate limiting step in synthesising dopamine

A

Tyrosine hydroxylase

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23
Q

Enzymes which degrade dopamine

A 
Monoamine oxidase (MAO B more than MAO A)
Catechol-o-methyl transferase (COMT)
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24
Q

End product of dopamine breakdown

A

Homovanillic acid

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25
Q

Reuptake method for dopamine

A

Dopamine transporter

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26
Q

Effect of cocaine on the reuptake of dopamine

A

Inhibits it

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27
Q

Function of dopamine

A 
Motivation
Novelty seeking
Reward circuit
Arousal
Motor movement in basal ganglia
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28
Q

Dopamine receptors

A

D1 - D5

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29
Q

Two major types of dopamine receptors

A

D1 like - D1 and D5

D2 like - D2, D3 and D4

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30
Q

Category of receptor the dopamine receptors fit into

A

G protein coupled receptors

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31
Q

Effect of D1 like dopamine receptors

A

Excitatory

Increase adenylate cyclase

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32
Q

Effect of D2 like receptors

A

Inhibitory

Decrease adenylate cyclase

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33
Q

Part of the brain D4 is primarily found

A

Frontal cortex

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34
Q

Dopamine receptor clozapine has a high affinity for

A

D4

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35
Q

Level of dopamine in Parkinson’s disorder

A

Low

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36
Q

Level of dopamine in psychosis

A

High

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37
Q

Area of raised dopamine in psychosis

A

Mesolimbic area

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38
Q

Substances made in the synthesis of noradrenaline/adrenaline

A 
Phenylalanine (essential amino acid)
Tyrosine (can start directly with tyrosine - non-essential amino acid)
L-dopa
Dopamine
Noradrenaline
Adrenaline
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39
Q

Rate limiting enzyme in the synthesis of noradrenaline/adrenaline

A

Tyrosine hydroxylase

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40
Q

Enzyme for the conversion of dopamine to noradrenaline

A

Dopamine-b-hydroxylase

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41
Q

Enzyme for the conversion of noradrenaline to adrenaline

A

Phenylethanolamine-N-methyltransferase

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42
Q

Enzymes which degrade noradrenaline

A

MAO (MAO A more than MAO B)

COMT

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43
Q

Breakdown products of noradrenaline

A

3-methoxy-4-hydroxyphenylglycol (MHPG)

Vanillyl mandelic acid (VMA)

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44
Q

Major metabolite of noradrenaline in the CNS

A

MHPG

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45
Q

Major metabolite of noradrenaline in the peripheral nervous system

A

VMA

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46
Q

Reuptake method of noradrenaline

A

Noradrenaline reuptake channel

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47
Q

Effect of tricyclics on the reuptake of noradrenaline

A

Inhibis

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48
Q

Effect of reboxetine on the reuptake of noradrenaline

A

Inhibits

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49
Q

Function of noradrenaline

A

Arousal
Anxiety
Sympathetic effects - increase in blood pumped, increase in BP, increase in glucose production, increase in glucose uptake by skeletal muscles

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50
Q

Noradrenaline receptors

A 
Alpha 1
Alpha 2
Beta 1
Beta 2
Beta 3
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51
Q

Effect of alpha 1 noradrenaline receptors

A

Activate phospholipase C

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52
Q

Effect of alpha 2 receptors

A

Inhibit adenylate cyclase - act as presynaptic autoreceptors

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53
Q

Levels of noradrenaline in depression

A

Low

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54
Q

Levels of noradrenaline in panic/anxiety disorder

A

High

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55
Q

Substances made in the synthesis of serotonin

A

Tryptophan (essential amino acid)
5 hydroxy l-tryptophan
Serotonin

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56
Q

Rate limiting step in synthesis of serotonin

A

Availability of tryptophan

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57
Q

Enzyme involved in the synthesis of serotonin from 5 hydroxy l-tryptophan

A

Tryptophan hydroxylase

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58
Q

Enzymes involved in the breakdown of serotonin

A

MAO - more MAO A than MAO B

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59
Q

Breakdown product of serotonin

A

5-hydroxyindoleacetic acid (5-HIAA)

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60
Q

Reuptake method for serotonin

A

Serotonin reuptake channel

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61
Q

Effect of SSRIs on reuptake of serotnin

A

Block

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62
Q

Effect of TCAs on reuptake of serotonin

63
Q

Functions of serotonin

A 
Mood
Perception of pain
Feeding
Sleep wake cycle
Motor activity
Sexual behaviour
Temperature regulation
64
Q

Subtypes of serotonin receptors

A 
5HT1a, 5HT1b, 5HT1d, 5HT1e, 5HT1f
5HT2a, 5HT2b, 5HT2c
5HT3
5HT4
5HT5a, 5HT5b
5HT6
5HT7
65
Q

Category of receptor 5HT3 falls into

A

Ionotropic

66
Q

Category of receptor all 5HT receptors fall into other than 5HT3

A

G protein coupled

67
Q

Main function of 5HT3 receptors

A

Gut motility

68
Q

Main functions of 5HT1a receptors

A

Mood

Sexual function

69
Q

Receptor stimulated by LSD

70
Q

Main action of 5HT7 receptor

A

Circadian rhythm

71
Q

Effect of antagonism of 5HT2 receptors

A

Sedation

Antipsychotic response by atypical antipsychotics

72
Q

Compounds used in the synthesis of acetylcholine

A

Choline

Acetyl CoA

73
Q

Rate limiting step in synthesis of acetylcholine

A

Availability of choline

74
Q

Enzyme involved in synthesis of acetylcholine

A

Choline acetyltransferase

75
Q

Enzyme involved in breakdown of acetylcholine

A

Acetylcholinesterase

76
Q

Breakdown product of acetylcholine

77
Q

Functions of acetylcholine

A 
Arousal
Learning
Memory
Rapid eye movement
Sleep
Pain perception
Thirst
Parasympathetic nervous system
78
Q

Two main types of acetylcholine receptors

A

Nicotinic acetycholine receptor

Muscarinic acetylcholine receptor

79
Q

Category of receptor for nicotinic acetylcholine receptors

A

Ionotropic

80
Q

Category of receptor for muscarinic acetylcholine receptors

A

G protein coupled receptor

81
Q

More common type of acetylcholine receptor in the CNS

A

Muscarinic

82
Q

Source for synthesis of GABA

83
Q

Enzyme needed for GABA synthesis

A

Glutamic acid decarboxylase

84
Q

Rate limiting step for GABA synthesis

A

Glutamic acid decarboxylase catalysis

85
Q

Breakdown enzyme for GABA

A

GABA transaminase

86
Q

Breakdown product for GABA

A

Glutamate which then breaks down to succinic acid

87
Q

Inhibitor enzyme for the reuptake of GABA

88
Q

Two types of GABA receptors

A

GABAa

GABAb

89
Q

Category of GABAa receptor

A

Ligand gated ionotropic

90
Q

Category of GABAb receptor

A

G protein coupled receptor

91
Q

Definition of a neurotransmitter

A

Substance released from a presynaptic nerve terminal which produces rapid excitatory or inhibitory effects on the postsynaptic cell

92
Q

Neurotransmitters that are other amines

A

Acetylcholine

93
Q

Major excitatory neurotransmitter in the CNS

94
Q

Major inhibitory neurotransmitter in the CNS

95
Q

General effect of glutamate on neurons

A

Causes them to depolarise

96
Q

General effect of GABA on neurons

A

Causes them to hyperpolarise

97
Q

Routes of synthesis of glutamate

A

Glutamine + glutaminase = glutamate

Aspartate + alpha ketoglutarate (intermediate of the TCA cycle) = oxaloacetate + glutamate

98
Q

Breakdown products of glutamate

A

Glutamine

Alpha ketoglutaride

99
Q

Neurotransmitter produced by glutamate

100
Q

Reuptake process of glutamate

A

Reuptake by glial cells then conversion to glutamine

101
Q

Cellular effect of increased glutamate

A

Cell death from excess intracellular calcium via excitotoxicity

102
Q

Diseases associated with excitotoxicity

A 
Stroke
Alzheimer's disease
Seizures
Autism
ALS
103
Q

Types of glutamate receptor

A

G protein coupled receptors - group 1, 2, 3

Ionotropic receptors - NMDA, AMPA, kainate

104
Q

Primary inhibitor neurotransmitter in the spinal cord

105
Q

Source of glycine

106
Q

Enzymes involved in glycine synthesis

A

Serine trans-hydroxymethylase

Glycerate dehydrogenase

107
Q

Rate limiting step in glycine synthesis

A

Availability of serine trans-hydroxymethylase and glycerate dehydrogenase

108
Q

Effect of glycine on glutamate receptors

A

Adjunctive excitatory neurotransmitter

109
Q

Effect of glycine in the spinal cord

A

Inhibitory neurotransmitter - acts alone

110
Q

Experimental agent used to treat negative symptoms of schizophrenia which is a glycine reuptake inhibitor

A

Bitopertin

111
Q

Two types of endocannabinoids

A

Anandamide

2-arachnidonylglycerol

112
Q

Effects of anandamide

A

Decreased activity level
Pain relief
Decreased intraocular pressure

113
Q

Effects of neurotrophins

A

Influence proliferation and differentiation of neurons and glial cells

114
Q

Effects of dopa decarboxylase (DDC)

A

Synthesises dopamine from L Dopa

Synthesises serotonin from 5 hydroxy l-tryptophan

115
Q

Receptor which mediates long term potentiation

116
Q

Brain area where acetylcholine is synthesised

A

Basal nucleus of Meynert

117
Q

Brain areas where dopamine is synthesised

A

Ventral tegmentum
Substantia nigra
Pars compacta

118
Q

Brain area where GABA is synthesised

A

Nucleus accumbens

119
Q

Brain area where noradrenaline is synthesised

A

Locus ceruleus

120
Q

Brain area where serotonin is synthesised

A

Raphe nuclei - both median and dorsal

121
Q

Function of mu opioid receptors

A

Regulation of pain

122
Q

Catecholamine neurotransmitters

A

Dopamine

Noradrenaline

123
Q

Indolamine neurotransmitter

124
Q

Awarded a Nobel prize for discovering dopamine’s role as a neurotransmitter

125
Q

Gases which act as neurotransmitters

A

Carbon monoxide

Nitric oxide

126
Q

Receptor which is involved in insomnia, agitation and sexual dysfunction effects of SSRIs

127
Q

Neurotransmitters that are classed as large molecules

A

Neuropeptides
Endorphins
Oxytocin
Cannabinoids

128
Q

GABA a agonists

A

Ethanol
Benzodiazepines
Z-drugs
Barbiturates

129
Q

GABA a antagonist

A

Flumazenil

130
Q

GABA b agonists

A

Baclofen

GHB

131
Q

Exogenous cannabinoids

A

Delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC)

Cannabidiol (CBD)

132
Q

Exocannabinoid which is the main psychoactive component of cannabis

A

Delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol

133
Q

Cells in the GI tract which synthesise serotonin

A

Enterochromaffin cells

134
Q

Precursor to serotonin which is able to cross the blood brain barrier, unlike serotonin

A

L-tryptophan

135
Q

Enzymes which break down serotonin

A

MAO

Aldehyde dehydrogenase

136
Q

Disease associated with nitric oxide

A

Depression

137
Q

Foods high in choline

A 
Vegetables
Liver
Egg yolk
Dairy
Seeds
138
Q

Biogenic amines

A 
Histamine
Adrenaline
Noradrenaline
Dopamine
Sertraline
139
Q

Category of receptor opioid receptors fall into

A

G protein coupled receptor

140
Q

Neurotransmitter known to play a role in regulating arousal, wakefulness, and appetite

141
Q

Serotonin receptor which is an auto-receptor

142
Q

Major neurotransmitter which can be released from astrocytes

143
Q

Substances which act as secondary messengers in the CNS

A 
Calcium
cAMP
cGMP
Inositol trisphosphate
Diacylglycerol
144
Q

Rate limiting step in alcohol metabolism

A

Alcohol dehydrogenase

145
Q

Dopamine receptor most abundant in the human brain

146
Q

Glucocorticoid and progestin receptor antagonist which it is felt could improve symptoms of major depression

A

Mifepristone

147
Q

Effects of stimulation of the opioid receptors

A 
Analgesia
Euphoria
Miosis
Hypotension
Bradycardia
Respiratory depression
148
Q

Opioid receptor responsible for opioid dependence

A

Mu receptor

149
Q

Smallest brain peptide

A

Thyrotropin releasing factor

150
Q

Hypothalamic nucleus dopamine originates from

151
Q

Part of the body where most MAO A is found

A

Liver

GI tract

152
Q

Part of the body where most MAO B is found

153
Q

Substance nitric oxide is synthesised from

A

L-arginine

154
Q

Enzyme which stimulates the synthesis of nitric oxide from L-arginine

A

Nitric oxide synthase

Neurosciences (16 decks)

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