Synapses and Neurotransmission Flashcards
What neurotransmitter is released from the axon terminal of a neuron when it activates a muscle cell?
ACh
What type of ACh receptor does ACh bind to on the postsynaptic side when a neuron stimulates a muscle?
nicotinic
What enzyme is responsible for the enzymatic degradation of ACh?
acetylcholinesterase
What are 3 pathways for removal of a neurotransmitter from the synaptic cleft?
enzymatic degradation
reuptake
diffusion
How is dopamine, NE, and serotonin removed from the synaptic cleft?
reuptake (mono-amine oxidase also enzymatically breaks it down within the terminal)
How is glutamate removed from the synaptic cleft?
diffusion- into glial cells
What two molecules does acetylcholinesterase break down ACh into?
choline and acetate
Where does choline move back to?
presynaptic neuron
What two molecules can be reassembled to form acetylcholine
acetyl CoA and choline
This disease is an autoimmune disease that causes the immune system to attack nicotinic ACh receptors
Myasthenia gravis
How does myasthenia gravis cause weakness?
There is a lack of ACh receptors to receive the ACh
How does pyridostigmine improve strength?
inhibits the enzyme that breaks down ACh so it’s left in the synaptic cleft longer
_________ serve to bring the membrane closer to threshold for generating an AP
excitatory postsynaptic potential (EPSP)
____________ make the cell’s membrane potential more negative, making it harder to generate an AP
inhibitory postsynaptic potential (IPSP)
What neurotransmitter classification is ACh?
choline ester
What are the 3 catecholamines
dopamine, NE, epinephrine
What is the pathway of the 5 molecules involved in catecholamine synthesis
tyrosine–> L-dopa—> dopamine—-> NE—-> epinephrine
True or false: there is no dopamine B-hydroxylase in a dopamine neuron
true, that enzyme leads to the production of NE