Neurotransmission Flashcards
Describe modes of neurotransmission
Electrical Synapses: Direct ion flow via gap junctions; rapid, bidirectional.
Chemical Synapses: Neurotransmitter release; slower, unidirectional.
What are the chemical synapse structure and types?
Structure: Presynaptic terminal, synaptic cleft, postsynaptic terminal.
Types: Axodendritic, axosomatic, axoaxonic.
how are neurotransmitters storage and packed ?
Stored in synaptic vesicles via active transport using proton gradients.
What is the docking and release of synaptic vesicles ?
Docking: SNARE proteins align vesicles with the presynaptic membrane.
Release: Ca²⁺ influx triggers exocytosis.
Recycling: Vesicles are retrieved via endocytosis.
What is the postsynaptic terminal structure?
Contains receptors (ionotropic or metabotropic), scaffolding proteins, and signalling complexes.
What are epsp and ipsp?
EPSPs (Excitatory Postsynaptic Potentials): Depolarisation (e.g., Na⁺ influx).
IPSPs (Inhibitory Postsynaptic Potentials): Hyperpolarisation (e.g., Cl⁻ influx).
What is neural integration and summation?
Temporal Summation: Multiple signals from one synapse over time.
Spatial Summation: Signals from multiple synapses converge.
Describe the formation of basic neural circuits
Established via axonal guidance, synapse formation, and pruning during development.
Describe the heterogenous nature of neurotansmission
Diversity in neurotransmitters, receptor types, and synaptic mechanisms allows for complex signalling.
describe synapse formation and elimination
Formation: Synaptogenesis via cell adhesion molecules and synaptic scaffolding proteins.
Elimination: Activity-dependent pruning to refine circuits.
Describe functional and structural neuroplascicity
Functional: Changes in synaptic strength (e.g., LTP, LTD).
Structural: Changes in dendritic spines, synapse number, or axonal connections.
