Neurotransmitter Systems Flashcards
What are the 4 criteria for a chemical to be a neurotransmitter?
- Synthesis + localization in presynaptic neuron
- Release by presynaptic neuron upon stimulation
- Response mimicry
- Must be removed from synaptic cleft after release
What is response mimicry?
Applying the chemical to neurons will produce the same response as a natural NT.
A(n) _____ binds to a receptor to produce and effect. A(n) _______ binds to a receptor to prevent an effect from being produced. A(n) _________ has the opposite effect of the first.
Agonist; antagonist; inverse agonist
What is the goal of in situ hybridization?
To localize the synthesis of a particular protein in a cell
What is immunohistochemistry used for?
Localizing a neurotransmitter and the enzymes that produce it
What does Dale’s Principle suggest?
Neurons generally release only one primary neurotransmitter, and one co-transmitter (usually a peptide)
What enzyme catalyzes the synthesis of L-Dopa?
Tyronsine hydroxylase
What does MAO do?
It breaks down dopamine
What is end-product inhibition?
When the neurotransmitter binds to autoreceptors on the presynaptic neuron, signalling the cell to stop production of that NT
What is the precursor to serotonin and what enzyme catalyzes the reaction?
Tryptophan; tryptophan hydroxylase
______ is the most common excitatory neurotransmitter, and ______ is the most common inhibitory neurotransmitter.
glutamate; GABA
Which glial cells regulate the balance between glutamate and GABA?
astrocytes
Too much glutamate causes ______; too much GABA causes _______.
seizures; comas
NMDA, AMPA and kainate are ______ receptors.
glutamate
______ receptors are G-protein coupled acetylcholine receptors, while ______ receptors are ligand-gated
Muscarinic; nicotinic
