Neurotransmitters and Pharmacology Flashcards
What are the adaptations and functions of the dendrites in neurones
Dendrites have spines which increase the surface area for the receipt of information from the other neurones etc. So the dendrites are information receptors
Function of soma/ cell body in the neurone
Integration of the signals received
Function of the axon
Rapid transfer of the action potential
Where are neurotransmitters release from
The synaptic terminal
Neurotransmission is restricted to specialised structures called …
Synapses
What are the three stages of synaptic transmission
1) Biosynthesis, packaging and release of neurotransmitter ( which is packed into vesicles )
2) Receptor action
3) Inactivation of neurotransmitters to allow for the system to work effectively
The three classes of neurotransmitter present
Amino acids
Amines
Neuropeptides
Amino acid neurotransmitter
Glutamate
Gamma-amimobutytic acid (GABA)
Glycine (Gly)
Amines neurotransmitter
Noradrenaline ( NA)
Dopamine (DA)
Neuropeptide neurotransmitters
Opioid peptides
Glutamate
Single most important amino acid in brain , normally excitatory transmitter
GABA
Most important inhibitory transmitter in brain
Glycine
Inhibitory neurotransmitter in spinal cord
Noradrenaline
Involved in sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous system
Opioid peptides
Endorphins etc
Step 1 of CNS synapse activation
AP
Step 2 of CNS synapse activation
Depolarisation of nerve terminal ( sodium and potassium ion channels start working etc )
Step 3 of CNS synapse activation
Voltage gated calcium channels open and calcium enters into presynaptic nerve terminal down the concentration gradient
Step 4 of activation of CNS synapse
Calcium ions stimulate the release of neurotransmitters into the synaptic cleft
Step 5 of activation of CNS synapse
Neurotransmitters bind to receptors on post synaptic neurone. In the case of an excitatory synapse, they cause sodium ions to go into cell and stimulate another AP
Step 6 of activation of a CNS synapse
Reputable of neurotransmitters into presynaptic nerve terminal where it is packaged into vesicles
Or broken down by enzymes
What enzyme works to break down ACh
Acetylcholine is broken down by acetylcholinesterase which sits in cleft and so inactivates it
Step 7 of activation of CNS synapse
Sodium potassium transported restores status before another AP arrives
What conc of calcium is needed to be reached inside the cell for the neurotransmitter to be released
200 microM , resting cellular calcium conc is less that 1 microM
Quanta
Packets of 4000-10000 molecules of neurotransmitters
Neurotransmitter release
Activation of transmitter release is calcium dependent and required RAPID transduction
Membrane depolarisation Calcium channels open Calcium influx Vesicle fusion Vesicle exocytosis Transmitter release