Synaptic communication

Question 1

neurotransmitters

Answer 1

Can be excitatory (i.e., increasing the possibility of causing an action potential in the post-synaptic neuron) or inhibitory (i.e., decreasing the probability of an action in the postsynaptic neuron)

Question 2

neurotransmitters (excitatory)

Answer 2

Excitatory (opens channels in post-synaptic membrane leading to increase in sodium in post-synaptic cell and decrease in potassium leading to depolarization of postsynaptic cell)

examples: norepinephrine, acetylcholine, glutamate

Question 3

neurotransmitters (inhibitory)

Answer 3

Inhibitory: encourage hyperpolarization (i.e., increasing Cl- flow into cell or increasing K+ efflux from cell) of post-synaptic cell, making it less likely to generate an action potential)

examples:dopamine, serotonin, GABA

Question 4

action potential: the electrical event that carries information throughout _____ and the ____ _____

Answer 4

the electrical event that carries information throughout NEURONS and the NERVOUS SYSTEM

Question 5

what is the threshold of AP? (#)

Answer 5

-70 mV

Question 6

what two molecules does AP require?

Answer 6

Na+ and K+

Question 7

list the 6 phases of an Action Potential (AP)

Answer 7

1. Resting Phase
2. Activation Phase
3. Rising Phase
4. Falling Phase
5. Undershoot Phase
6. Recovery Phase

Question 8

just study

Question 9

neurotransmitters are ___________ or derivatives

Answer 9

amino acids

Question 10

where are neurotransmitters synthesized?

Answer 10

in the presynaptic terminal

Question 11

where are neurotransmitters released from?

Answer 11

presynaptic terminal (from small synaptic vesicles)

Question 12

Answer 12

neurotransmitter

Question 13

what neurotransmitters are dopamine, serotonin, and GABA? What is their function/goal?

Answer 13

encourage hyperpolarization of post-synaptic cell

by increasing Cl- flow into cell or increasing K+ efflux from cell

making it less likely to generate an action potential

Question 14

what neurotransmitters are norepinephrine, acetylcholine, and glutamate? What is their function/goal?

Answer 14

Excititory
increase chances of causing an AP

opens channels in the post-synaptic membrane leading to
increase in Na+ in post-synaptic cell and decrease in K+

leading to depolarization of postsynaptic cell

Question 15

describe in words the AP graph

Answer 15

Question 16

when do stimulus-induced Na+ channels open in AP?

Answer 16

Question 17

when do voltage-gated Na+ channels open in AP?

Answer 17

Question 18

when do voltage-gated Na+ channels close and voltage-gated K+ channels open in AP?

Answer 18

Question 19

when do voltage-gated K+ channels close in AP?

Answer 19

Question 20

what does the Na+/K+ pump do? (AP)

Answer 20

re-establish resting potential (-62 mV)