Neurotransmitters Flashcards
What is a Catecholamine?
A catecholamine is a monoamine neurotransmitter, an organic compound that has a catechol and a side-chain amine.
Catechol can be either a free molecule or a substituent of a larger molecule, where it represents a 1,2-dihydroxybenzene group
What is a catechol group?
a benzenediol comprising of a benzene core carrying two hydroxy substituents ortho to each other
what is an amine group?
amines are compounds and functional groups that contain a basic nitrogen atom with a lone pair.
within the category of small molecule neurotransmitters, what four subdivisions are there?
small molecule neurotransmitters:
* acetylcholine
* amino acids
* purines
* biogenic amines
give four examples of neurotransmitters that are amino acids
- Glutamate
- Aspartate
- GABA
- Glycine
give five examples of neurotransmitters that are biogenic amines
- Dopamine
- Norepinephrine
- Epinephrine
- Serotonin (5-HT)
- Histamine
how big are peptide neurotransmitters?
usually 3-36 amino acids long
which neurotransmitters are catecholamines?
- dopamine
- norepinephrine
- epinephrine
which neurotransmitter is an indoleamine?
Serotonin (5-HT)
which neurotransmitter is an imidazoleamine?
histamine
where do virtally all of the Noradrenaline pathways originate?
Locus coeruleus
a nucleus in the midbrain, part of the reticular formation
Describe the axons in Noradrenaline pathways
The axons consist of highly branched, largely unmyelinated axons. long axonal tracts
The axons innervate the limbic system and limbic areas of the cortex
and innervate areas controlling sensory input; key involvement in perception and attentional processes
what are the three major dopamine nucleii?
- substantia nigra,
- ventral tegmental area,
- arcuate nucleus of the hypothalalmus
what are the three main dopamine pathways?
- Nigrostriatal pathway: motor control
- Mesolimbic & mesocortical pathways: behaviour
what nuclei harbour neurons that synthesise 5-HT?
Raphe nucleii
where are the raphe nucleii found and what does it innervate?
Raphe nuclei are in the medulla – part of the reticular formation (involved in arousal)
Innervate limbic (and cortical) systems
Cholinergic neurons are important for _______ _______________ within discrete nucleii
Cholinergic neurons are import for local processing within discrete nuclei
give two examples of neurotransmitters with ubiquitous distribution
(everywhere)
Glutamate and GABA
what is the major excitatory neurotransmitter?
glutamate
what are the three types of ionotropic glutamate receptors?
AMPA receptors, NMDA receptors, and kainate receptors
what is the major inhibitory neurotransmitter?
GABA
what two broad categories can neurotransmitters be classfied into?
- small molecule neurotransmitter
- neuropeptides
what is the precursor to Acetylcholine
Choline + Acetyl CoA
what is the precursor to Glutamate?
Glutamine
what is the precursor to GABA?
Glutamate
what is the precursor to glycine?
Serine
what is the precursor molecule to catecholamines?
(epinephrine, norepinephrine, dopamine)
tyrosine
what is the precursor molecule to serotonin?
tryptophan
what is the precurser to histamine?
histidine
what are the four main dopamine pathways?
the nigrostriatal, mesolimbic, mesocortical, and tuberoinfundibular pathways
