Neurons, neurotransmitters drugs and mental function

Question 1

Facts about the synapse.

Answer 1

• This is the name of the connection between neurons.
• There are many synapses linking one cell to another.
• when an action potential arrives at an axon terminal, neurotransmitters are released at the synaptic cleft.
• receptors at the postsynaptic neuron responds to the neurotransmitter and generates a graded potential.

Question 2

Define synaptic cleft..

Answer 2

The synaptic cleft is the space between the presynaptic neuron and the postsynaptic neuron.

Question 3

Define receptors.

Answer 3

Receptors are specific vesicles.

Question 4

Explain the process of neurotransmission.

Answer 4

1. A message travels from the dendrites through the cell body and to the end of the axon.
2. The message causes the chemicals, called neurotransmitters, to be released from the end of the axon
   into the synapse. The neurotransmitters carry the message with them into the synapse. The synapse is
   the space between the axon of one neuron and the dendrites of another neuron.
3. The neurotransmitters then travel across the synapse to special places on the dendrites of the next
   neuron, called receptors. The neurotransmitters fit into the receptors like keys in locks.
4. Once the neurotransmitter has attached to the receptors of the second neuron, the message is passed on.
5. The neurotransmitters are released from the receptors and are either broken down or go back into the
   axon of the first neuron

Question 5

Define vesicles.

Answer 5

Bag of joy.
They contain 1000’s of neurotransmitter molecules.

Question 6

Define diffusion in the process of neurotransmission.

Answer 6

Eventually neurotransmitters molecules must be cleared from the synaptic cleft. Some drift away and this is called diffusion.

Question 7

Sometimes neurotransmitters are taken back up into the presynaptic neuron in a process called….

Answer 7

Reuptake

Question 8

Synthesis, storage, release, binding and reuptake

Answer 8

The process by which ideas and images are combined and formed into objects of thought or by which objects of consciousness are brought together into meaningful words.

Question 9

What can have an effect by altering the neurotransmission at synapses?

Answer 9

Drugs
- these drugs can slow it down or speed it up
- you can alter storage of neurotransmitters.
- you can block those receptors
- you can also slow down reuptake of the neurotransmission

Question 10

Define agonists.

Answer 10

These are drugs that bind to a receptor of a cell and trigger a response by the cell. They often mimics the action of a naturally occuring substance.

Question 11

What is an indirect agonist?

Answer 11

They enhance the release or action of an endogenous neurotransmitter.

Question 12

Define antagonist.

Answer 12

This is a drug that binds to the receptor either on the primary site, or on another site, which all together stops the recepetor from producing a response.

Question 13

Name a few neurotransmitters in the brain.

Answer 13

Serotonin, Dopamine, glutamate, acetylcholine, and horadrenaline

Question 14

Name a few neurotransmitters in the brain.

Answer 14

Serotonin, Dopamine, glutamate, acetylcholine, and noradrenaline

Question 15

Name an example of an agonist and antagonist drug.

Answer 15

Nicotine and scopolamine

Question 16

What is used to improve Parkinson’s disease?

Answer 16

Deep brain stimulation