Neurotransmission

Question 1

type of ion involved in transmitting signal from one cell to the next

Answer 1

calcium

Question 2

where are transmitter-gated ion channels found?

Answer 2

post-synaptic membrane

Question 3

what happens to neurotransmitter once it activates transmitter-gated ion channels? (2 possibilities)

Answer 3

1. uptake by pre-synaptic cell or glial cells

2. destruction by enzymes found in synaptic cleft

Question 4

what mediates uptake of neurotransmitter by pre-synaptic cell?

Answer 4

sodium-dependent neurotransmitter symporters

Question 5

two types of neurotransmitters

Answer 5

excitatory and inhibitory

Question 6

ion channels opened by excitatory neurotransmitters

Answer 6

sodium and/or calcium

Question 7

ion channels opened by inhibitory neurotransmitters

Answer 7

potassium and/or chlorine

Question 8

how do inhibitory neurotrnsmitters work?

Answer 8

influx of potassium/chlorine makes it difficult for depolarization to occur

Question 9

examples of excitatory neurotransmitters

Answer 9

acetylcholine (usually)
glutamate
serotonin

Question 10

examples of inhibitory neurotransmitters

Answer 10

GABA (gamma-amino butyric acid)

glycine

Question 11

describe the neuromuscular junction

Answer 11

between a motor neuron and a skeletal muscle cell

Question 12

type of AAs lining the pore of the acetylcholine receptor

Answer 12

negative polar

Question 13

function of acetylcholinesterase

Answer 13

hydrolyzes free acetylcholine in the neuromuscular junction to reduce its concentration

Question 14

where are calcium-release channels found?

Answer 14

sarcoplasmic reticulum membrane

Question 15

function of calcium-release channels

Answer 15

allow flow of calcium ions from SR lumen into cytosol

Question 16

what causes myofibril contraction?

Answer 16

influx of calcium ions into cytosol (from SR lumen, via calcium-release channels)

Question 17

what transporter facilitates myofibril contraction?

Answer 17

calcium-release channels in the sarcoplasmic reticulum membrane

Question 18

condition for LTP

Answer 18

when a pre-synaptic cell fires (once or more) when the post-synaptic cell is already strongly depolarized

Question 19

NMDA is doubly-gated: meaning?

Answer 19

NMDA receptors require 2 conditions for opening:

1. glutamate must be bound
2. membrane must be strongly depolarized

Question 20

conditions for opening of NMDA receptors

Answer 20

1. glutamate must be bound

2. membrane must be strongly depolarized

Question 21

which receptor is critical for LTP?

Answer 21

NMDA receptors, a type of glutamate-gated ion channels