Synapses and neurotransmitters Flashcards
NMJ is
NMJ is a specialized synapse consisting of a presynaptic neuron (a motor neuron) and the sarcolemma (membrane of the muscle fiber).
Nt found at NMJ is
always ACETYLCHOLINE
Binding of ACh at sarcolemma causes
NMJ is a specialized synapse consisting of a presynaptic neuron (a motor neuron) and the sarcolemma (membrane of the muscle fiber).
Neurotransmitters are released at the synapse when ____________
when the intracellular Ca2+ reaches a certain level.
The increase in intracellular Ca2+ level is caused by Ca2+ influx which is a result of membrane depolarization
Name the major neurotransmitters in the CNS
Excitatory - 4
Inhibitory - 2
Both - 3
Excitatory
- Glutamate
- Epin
- Ne
- Substance P
Inhibitory
- GABA
- Opioids
Both
- Acetylcholine
- Serotonin
- Dopamine
Excitatory neurotransmitters cause _____1______ while inhibitory neurotransmitters ____2_______
- membrane depolarization
2. do not cause depolarization/cause hyperpolarization in the postsynaptic neurons.
Dopamine and serotonin can be excitatory or inhibitory depending on _______________
the subtypes of receptors that they bind to on the postsynaptic membrane.
Name the different types of neurotransmitters:
- ACh
- monoamines eg serotonin, ne, ep, dopamine, histamine
- Amino acids eg. Glutamate, glycine, GABA
- Purines eg. adenosine
- Gases eg. Nitric oxide
- peptides eg opioids
___________ is the most common excitatory neurotransmitter in the BRAIN.
Glutamate
Glutamate is synthesized in the neuron from glutamine. Glutamine is supplied by __________
the astrocytes nearby.
Glutamate
Two types of receptor: ionotropic and metabotropic. Explain them both
Ionotropic receptor mediates the effect of glutamate faster than metabotropic receptor as it is ion channel compared to metabotropic receptor which requires a second messenger system
It is conceivable that the ionotropic glutamate receptors are associated with cation channels since it is excitatory. Binding of glutamate to these receptors causes cation influx that will eventually lead to membrane depolarization.
Glutamate
Explain the types of ionotropic glutamate receptors, and their effect.
3 types of ionotropic glutamate receptors
- NMDA
- AMPA
- Kainate
All are fast and excitatory - Ca+ Na+ channels
Glutamate
Explain the types of Metabotropic (G protein coupled) glutamate receptors, and their effect.
3 types of metabotropic glutamate receptors
- group I - slow excitatory - mGlu1,5
- group II - slow inhibitory - mGlu2,3
- group III - slow inhibitory - mGlu4,6,7,8
Glutamate and its receptors play important role in _______ and _________
synaptic plasticity and excitotoxicity.
Excessive glutamate in the synaptic cleft can be caused due to _________.
due to dysfunction in the uptake mechanism or excessive release of glutamate from the neuron as a result of neuronal death.
Glutamate in the synaptic cleft continuously stimulate the postsynaptic neurons by binding to the glutamate receptor, leading to more neuronal death by excitotoxicity.
How is glutamate formed?
- Glutamate is absorbed by astrocyte
- converted to glutamine
- it is taken up by neuron
- converted to glutamate