task 3 - neurotransmitters Flashcards
synapse
; 3 components, junctions between the terminal buttons at the end of axonal branches of 1 neuron and the membrane of another
presynaptic membrane
axon terminal of the presynaptic neuron
synaptic cleft
gap of 20-40 nanometers that separates the presynaptic and post synaptic neurons
postsynaptic membrane
on the surface of the dendrite or the cell body of the post of the postsynaptic neuron
postsynaptic potentials
; brief depolarizations or hyperpolarization that increase or decrease the rate of firing of the axon of the postsynaptic neuron
directed synapses
synapses at which the site of neurotransmitter release and the site of neurotransmitter receptors are in close proximity
non-directed synapses
site of release is at some distance from the site of reception
ligand
→ the chemical that attaches to the binding site (neurotransmitters are types of ligands)
- only bind to receptors
- cannot enter into a neuron through a binding site, can open ion channels tho
endogenous ligand
any substance that is produced within the body and selectively binds to a receptor
exogenous ligand
any substance that originates outside the body and selectively binds to a receptor
binding site
the area that neurotransmitters attach to in order to exert their effects on cells
release zone
the region where the neurotransmitter is released
docking
→ a cluster of protein molecules in the vesicles membrane attach to other protein molecules located in the presynaptic membrane (docking the vesicle against the presynaptic membrane)
synaptic vesicles
→ small rounded structures made of membrane and filled with molecules
transport protein
; fills vesicles with neurotransmitter molecules
trafficking proteins
; involved in true release of neurotransmitters and recycling of vesicles
small vesicles
; (found in all terminal buttons) contain molecules of the neurotransmitter. produced in the soma (golgi apparatus) and are carried by fast axoplasmic transport to the terminal button
large vesicles
; contain 1 or more neuropeptides (short protein composed of 3-36 amino acids) only produced in the soma and transported through the axoplasm to the terminal buttons
axodendritic synapses
→ synapses of axon terminal buttons on dendrites or dendritic spines