Neuromuscular Junction Flashcards
Why does acetylcholine have to be rapidly broken down and removed from the synapse?
To prevent desensitisation and repeated binding of the ACh receptors
What causes mEPPS?
Spontaneous vesicles of ACh that are released into the synapse, but does not cause enough depolarisation for an action potential to occur
Where do EPPs occur?
At the motor end plate, when enough neurotransmitter has been released into the synapse for an action potential to occur -> muscle twitch
EPPs are restricted to the ________ region
Endplate region
EPPs are restricted to the ________ region
Endplate region
What is the function of choline acetyl transferase?
Converts choline to acetylcholine
Name an ion that prevents the release of the vesicles of ACh into the synapse
Mg2+
What are present synaptic blockers?
Drugs that prevent the reuptake of choline into the presynaptic membrane
List 4 pre synaptic blockers
Hemicholinium
Botulinum toxin
Tetanus toxin
Aminoglycoside antibiotics
Where is botulinum toxin found?
Bad meat, fish, yoghurt
Where is botulinum toxin found?
Bad meat, fish, yoghurt
What is the mechanism of action of botulinum toxin?
Prevents neurotransmitter vesicles form binding to the presynaptic membrane
Interferes with Ca2+ activation
What is the mechanism of aminoglycoside antibiotics?
Interferes with Ca2+ activation in pre synaptic membrane
Which has more of an effect, botulinum toxin or tetanus toxin?
Botulinum toxin
What are post synaptic blockers?
Drugs that prevent the neurotransmitter from binding to the post synaptic membrane
Drugs that block the response of the neurotransmitter and receptor
Drugs that block the breakdown of the neurotransmitter
List 4 post synaptic blockers
Tubocurarine
Gallamine
Pancuronium
Suxamethonium
What is the mechanism of action for tubocurarine?
It is a competitive antagonist for ACh -> when bound it prevent ACh from binding
What is the mechanism of action for Anti AChE?
Blocks acetylcholinesterase from breaking down ACh, so it cannot be taken back into the pre synaptic membrane
What is the mechanism of action for Anti AChE?
Blocks acetylcholinesterase from breaking down ACh, so it cannot be taken back into the pre synaptic membrane
Describe the action of a competitive blocker
Competes with ACh for receptor sites., prevents ACh from binding
What is the mechanism of action of suxamethonium?
Binds to ACh receptor sites -> causes sustained depolarisation -> this inactivates Na+ channels -> muscle fibre cannot carry out action potentials
Describe the action of a depolarising blocker
Causes longer depolarisation to inactivate the Na+ channels so muscles fibre cannot cause new action potentials
Which causes fasciculation, competitive or depolarising blockers?
Depolarising blockers
Which causes hypotension due to ganglion block, competitive to depolarising blockers?
Competitive blockers
Which affects the eye, competitive or depolarising blockers?
Depolarising blockers
How do depolarising blockers affect the eye?
Eye muscles have multiple end plates, so a long depolarisation will cause compression of the eye ball in its socket
Which will have a greater effect as a blocker in myasthenia gravis, competitive or depolarising blockers?
Competitive blockers - most receptors will not be present in the first place
(the effect of depolarising blockers reduces as not as much depolarisation can occur with absent receptors)
Which has an effect on K+ plasma concentrations, competitive or depolarising blockers?
Depolarising blockers
How do depolarising blockers increase the K+ plasma concentrations?
Depolarising blockers will open the voltage gated K+ channels, so K+ leaves the cell and enters the plasma