Susie Chapter 3 Flashcards
action potentials are transmitted along axons to specialised region called…
synapse
transmission across the synapse is accomplished by chemical messengers called…
neurotransmitters
Neurotransmitters are stored in tiny spherical bags called…
synaptic vesicles
the arrival of an action potential leads to the opening of ion-channels that let in.. (a kind of chemical)
calcium (Ca++)
the typical length of synaptic cleft
20 mm
the glial cells that have miniature vacuum cleaners ready at the synaptic cleft (to suck up the NT before next action potential comes) are called…
transporters
the unused NT is stored in…
storage vesicles of the nerve endings
during the opening of an ion channel (made up of 5 sub-units arranged in a circle), this type of receptors is called…
ionotropic receptors
the ion channel allows positive ions (Na++ or Ca++) flow in, which leads to excitation. this produces a swing in potential which is called…
EPSP (excitatory post-synaptic potential)
this type of receptors do not have ion channels, are not always localised in the synapse, and do not lead to the initiation of action potential. But they are coupled to G-proteins inside the cell-membrane that can pass on the message.
metabotropic receptors
the main excitatory NT in the brain is …
glutamate
the inflow of negatively charged ions producing a change in potential is called…
IPSP (inhibitory post-synaptic potential)
2 main inhibitory NT are…
GABA and glycine
metabotropic receptors modulate the vast array of chemical processes going on inside the neurons including changes in ion channels, receptors , transporters and even the expression of genes. this action is called…
neuromodulation
when a NT is recognised and bound by a metabotropic receptor, the bridging molecules are called…
G-proteins
