Neurotransmitters Flashcards
Define a NT (4 points)
- Must be present in the presynaptic neuron
- Must be released in response to presynaptic depolarisation
- Release is usually Ca 2+ dependent
- Specific receptors must be present on post-synaptic cell
Mechanisms of post-synaptic excitation (cell is becoming more positive)
- Opening of Na channels
- Suppression of Cl and K channels
- EPS receptors increase in number and localisation
- Suppression of inhibitory receptors
Mechanisms of post-synaptic inhibition
- Increased Cl conductance
- Increased K conductance
- IPS receptors increase in number and localisation
- Inhibition of cellular metabolism (< metabotropic response)
What effect do Cl and K channels have on the potential of the cell?
Cl channels let Cl INTO the cell to keep it -ve, and K channels let K OUT to keep it -ve. The more of these channels are open the harder it will be for Na to create an AP. The more of these are closed the bigger the effect of Na
What is the NT ACh’s post-synaptic effect?
Excitatory
What are the precursors for ACh?
Choline and acetyl CoA
What is the removal mechanism for ACh?
AChEase (acetylcholinesterase)
Glutamate has an inhibitory post-synaptic effect. (T/F?)
FALSE- it is excitatory
What is the prescursor for glutamate?
Glutamine
What is the removal mechanism for glutamate?
Transporters
What is the most important excitatory NT in the brain?
Glutamate
What are the most important inhibitory NTs in the brain?
Gamma-aminobutyric acid (cerebrum) and glycine (spinal cord)
Gamma-amino butyric acid has an excitatory post-synaptic effect. (T/F?)
FALSE- it is inhibitory
What is the precursor for GABA?
Glutamate
What is the removal mechanism for GABA?
Transporters
What is the post-synaptic effect of glycine?
It is inhibitory
Serine is the precursor for glycine (T/F?)
TRUE
What is the removal mechanism for glycine?
Transporters
What chemicals does the term “catecholamines” include?
Ad, NAd and dopamine
What post-synaptic effect do catecholamines have?
Excitatory
Tyrosine is the precursor for catecholamines (T/F?)
TRUE
What are the removal mechanisms for catecholamines?
Transporters, MAO, COMT
What are MAO and COMT?
Enzymes involved in metabolising catecholamine neurotransmitters.
What is the systematic name of serotonin? (Abbr. 5-HT)
5- hydroxytryptamine
Serotonin has an excitatory post-synaptic effect (T/F?)
TRUE
What is the precursor for serotonin?
Tryptophan
What are the removal mechanisms for serotonin?
Transporters, MAO
What does MAO stand for?
Monoamine oxidase
The post-synaptic effect of histamine is inhibitory (T/F?)
FALSE- it is excitatory
What is the pre-cursor for histamine?
Histidine
What is the removal mechanism for histamine?
Transporters
What is the post-synaptic effect of ATP?
Excitatory