synaptic transmission Flashcards
how is information transmitted through chemical messengers
neurotransmitters
what is the main excitatory neurotransmitter
glutamate
where is glutamate releases
sensory neurons in the cerebral cortex
how much glutamate is required to excite neighboring cells
a small amount
all glutamate released from the cell is picked up by what
glutamate transporter molecules
what is the main inhibitory neurotransmitter
GABA
what is another name for GABA
gamma aminobutyric acid
where is GABA released
neurons of the spinal cord, cerebellum, basal ganglia
what does GABA do
reduce activity in the CNS, produce a calming effect
abnormally low levels of GABA can lead to what
anxiety
is dopamine excitatory or inhibitory
both
where is dopamine released
substantia nigra
what does dopamine play a role in
brains reward system
what does dopamine inhibit the release of
prolactin
dopamine brings up feelings of
pleasure and wakefulness
what does dopamine coordinate in the brain
voluntary movement
epinephrine is responsible for the bodies what
fight or flight response
where is epinephrine released
chromaffin cells in the adrenal medulla
is epinephrine excitatory or inhibitory
excitatory
is serotonin inhibitory or excitatory
inhibitory
where is serotonin released
neurons of the brainstem and the GI tract
what does serotonin do
GI tract - release feelings of satisfaction after eating
brain - influences mood, promotes feeling of wellbeing and happiness
regulates body temp, sleep cycle, pain perception
is acetylcholine excitatory or inhibitory
excitatory
where is acetylcholine released
motor neurons, basal ganglia, pre-ganglionic neurons of ANS, postganglionic neurons of the PNS, postganglionic neurons of sympathetic nervous system (innervates sweat glands)
what does acetylcholine directly affect
muscles
what does acetylcholine cause
muscle to contract by working at the NMJ
what does acetylcholine play a role in
memory and cognition
Alzheimer’s disease is caused by a lack of what neurotransmitter
acetylcholine
what characterizes alzheimers
learning and memory impairments
depression is caused by a lack of what neurotransmitter
dopamine, serotonin
schizophrenia is caused by an excess of what neurotransmitter
dopamine in the frontal lobe
myasthenia gravis is caused by an impairment of what neurotransmitter
acetylcholine in the synapse
Parkinson’s disease is caused by a deficiency in what neurotransmitter
dopamine related to substantia nigra
what can change ion permeability
neurotransmitters
how do ESPS and ISPS interact
the postsynaptic neuron adds the sum together and decides whether to fire an action potential or not
temporal summation
summing of several ESPS occurring very close together in time by a single presynaptic neuron
spatial summation
summing of several ESPS occurring simultaneously from several presynaptic neurons
can action potentials or graded potentials be summated
graded
action potentials are all or nothing responses
