Neurotransmitters Flashcards
Exocytosis
When AP causes vesicles to release neurotransmitters
Reuptake
When neurotransmitters are broken down by enzymes and brought back to presynaptic terminal
Ionotropic Receptors
Quick change, ion channels open and close when molecule binds
Metabotropic Receptors
Slowly Alter chemical reactions in cell by using secondary messengers to open ion channels
Properties of neurotransmitters
Synthesized in presynaptic neurons and stored in axon terminals
Released when AP reaches terminal
Recognized by receptors on postsynaptic membrane
Causes changes in postsynaptic cell
Blocking its release interferes with a cells ability to affect cell
Types of neurotransmitter
Amino Acid: GABA, glutamate
Peptide: oxytocin, vasopressin,
Corticotropin
Amine: acetylcholine, dopamine, seretonin
Acetylcholine (Ach)
Found in Basal Forebrain
Projects into cerebellum, amygdala, hippocampus
Involved in learning and memory
Glutamate
Most common excitatory transmitter
AMPA and NMDA (ionotropic) receptors
Gamma-aminobutyric Acid (GABA)
Most widespread inhibitory transmitter
GABAa: inhibitory, ionotropic, opens Cl- channels
GABAb: inhibitory, metabotropic, opens K+ channels
Dopamine
2 Pathways in brain
1) Meaostriatal: motor control, substantia nigra
2) Mesolithic: learning by positive reinforcment ventral tegmental area
5 kinds of dopamine receptors D1-D5
Metabotropic
Seretonin (5-HT)
Behavior, mood, vision, anxiety, sexual behavior and sleep
14 subtypes of 5-HT receptors
All but one are metabotropic
Norieoinephrine
Alertness, mood, sexual behaviors
Sympathetic activation (fight or flight)
Two kinds of receptors: alpha and beta
Gas Transmitters
Produced outside axon terminals, in dendrites
No receptors involved
Retrograde transmitter
Endocannabanoids
Excitatory and inhibitory
CB1 and CB2 receptors
Retrograde transmitters
Two kinds :
Anandamide (AEA)
2-arachidonoylglycerol (2-AG)
Ligand
Any substance that binds to a receptor
Can activate (agonist) Or deactivate (antagonist)
