test 2 (neurotransmitters) Flashcards

1
Q

What are the three criteria that make something a neurotransmitter (NT)?

A
  • Present in the presynaptic neuron
  • Must be released during synaptic activity
  • Must bind receptors on the postsynaptic neuron
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2
Q

What are co-transmitters?

A

A neuron can synthesize and release more than one type of neurotransmitter

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3
Q

What are the categories of neurotransmitters (NTs)?

A
  • Small Molecules (e.g. acetylcholine, amino acids, biogenic amines, purines)
  • Neuropeptides or peptides (e.g. enkephalins, gastrin)
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4
Q

What is acetylcholine (ACh)?

A

1st neurotransmitter discovered
Used in NMJ and ganglionic synapses

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5
Q

How is acetylcholine synthesized?

A

From acetyl-CoA and choline by choline acetyltransferase

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6
Q

How is acetylcholine metabolized?

A

To acetate and choline by acetylcholinesterase

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7
Q

How is acetylcholine loaded into synaptic vesicles?

A

Via a vesicular transporter (VAChT)

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8
Q

What are the two types of acetylcholine receptors?

A
  • Ionotropic (nAChRs)
  • Metabotropic (mAChRs)
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9
Q

What activates ionotropic ACh receptors?

A

Nicotine (agonist); inhibited by curare

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10
Q

Where are ionotropic ACh receptors located?

A
  • Neuromuscular junction
  • Autonomic ganglia
  • Adrenal medulla
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11
Q

What type of response do ionotropic ACh receptors mediate?

A

Excitatory

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12
Q

What activates metabotropic ACh receptors?

A

Muscarine; inhibited by atropine

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13
Q

What are the targets of metabotropic ACh receptors?

A
  • Smooth muscle
  • Glands
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14
Q

What channels do some metabotropic ACh receptors activate?

A
  • GIRK channels (inhibitory)
  • Ca2+-regulated K+ channels (excitatory)
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15
Q

What is glutamate (Glu)?

A

Main excitatory neurotransmitter in the brain

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16
Q

How is glutamate synthesized?

A

From glutamine by glutaminase

17
Q

How is glutamate loaded into synaptic vesicles?

A

Via vesicular glutamate transporters (VGLUTs)

18
Q

How is glutamate taken up by neighboring glial cells?

A

Via excitatory amino acid transporter (EAAT)

19
Q

What are the types of ionotropic glutamate receptors?

A
  • AMPA (fast response)
  • Kainate (fast to start, slower near end)
  • NMDA (slow response)
20
Q

What is the role of NMDA receptors?

A

Channel pore admits Ca2+, Na+, and K+; voltage dependent

21
Q

What blocks the NMDA channel?

A

Mg2+ blocks the channel; depolarization pushes Mg2+ out

22
Q

What is gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA)?

A

Main inhibitory neurotransmitter in the brain

23
Q

What is the synthesis pathway for GABA?

A

Glucose -> glu -> GABA

24
Q

How is GABA taken up from the synaptic cleft?

A

Via Na+-dependent co-transporters (GAT)

25
Q

How is GABA loaded into synaptic vesicles?

A

Via the vesicular inhibitory amino acid transporter (VIAAT)

26
Q

What are the types of GABA receptors?

A
  • Ionotropic (GABA-A R)
  • Metabotropic (GABA-B)
27
Q

What type of channel does the GABA-A receptor form?

A

GABA-gated ion channel for Cl-

28
Q

What is the effect of GABA-A receptor activation in young individuals?

A

Excitatory (Cl- outflux)

29
Q

What is the effect of GABA-A receptor activation in mature individuals?

A

Inhibitory (Cl- influx)

30
Q

What does GABA-B receptor activation do?

A
  • Activates K+ channels
  • Inhibits Ca2+ channels
31
Q

How is glycine (Gly) synthesized?

A

From serine by serine hydroxymethyltransferase

32
Q

How is glycine packaged into vesicles?

A

By VIAAT (same as GABA)

33
Q

How is glycine removed from the synaptic cleft?

A

By glycine transporters

34
Q

What type of receptor does glycine have?

A

Ionotropic (ligand-gated Cl- channels)

35
Q

What inhibits glycine receptors?

A

Strychnine