Topic 5: Nervous System Flashcards
Label the features below as NMJ or CNS:
- One presynaptic neuron
- Integration can be complex, e.g. coincidence, summation etc
- EPP is excitatory
- AP frequency and the number of recruited fibres determine strength of muscle contraction
- Synaptic transmission is unreliable: a single presynaptic ap alone rarely triggers postsynaptic ap
- Use many different neurotransmitters, not just ACh
- NMJ - CNS has many presynaptic neurons
- CNS - NMJ excludes integration
- NMJ - CNS can be inhibitory or excitatory
- NMJ - Frequency, timing and neuronal identity important for CNS info
- CNS - NMJ signal reliably triggers ap
- CNS - NMJ just uses ACh
What are the 2 coding schemes used by the CNS neurons to represent information and how do they work?
- Stimulus Intensity: Rate and Population codes
- Stimulus Modality: Labelled line code, each sensory neuron encodes 1 stimulus modality
There are 2 mechanisms by which synaptic inputs can be integrated, what are they? (hint = ‘X’ Summation)
Temporal summation: Detects high frequency firing y upstream neurons
Spatial summation: Detects coincident firing of upstream neurons
Match the types of central synapses to their attachment points:
a) Axodendritic
b) Axosomatic
c) Axoaxonic
1- Axon attaches directly to the cell body (soma)
2- Axon attaches to the axon of another neuron
3- Axon attaches to the dendrite of target cell
a) 3
b) 1
c) 2
How can excitatory and inhibitory synapses be identified in relation to their membrane differentiations?
Gray’s Type I Excitatory: Assymetrical membrane differentiations
Gray’s Type II Inhibitory: Symmetrical membrane differentiations
Stimulus intensity can be encoded by a)_______ and b)_________ codes. (b) code refers to the number of axons that are activated / conveying the signal. (a) codes refer to the frequency of action potentials conveying the signal. Central neurons may also use c)S_____T____C_____ for representing information
a) Rate
b) Population
c) Spike timing codes
Label the below statements as features of GluA/K (AMPA) receptors or GluN (NMDA) receptors or both:
a) Play a crucial role in synaptic plasticity, learning and memory
b) Mediate fast excitatory neurotransmission
c) Subtype of ionotropic glutamate receptor
d) Activation allows influx of Na and K leading to excitatory postsynaptic potentials (EPSPs)
e) Require 2 conditions for activation, binding of glutamate + relief of Mg blockage from receptor channel
f) Involved in long term potentiation (LTP)
g) Mainly found in the forebrain
a) Both
b) GluA/K (AMPA)
c) GluN (NMDA)
d) GluA/K (AMPA)
e) GluN (NMDA)
f) GluN (NMDA)
g) GluA/K (AMPA)
Describe key molecular properties of glutamate receptors. How many transmembrane domains do they have + what else?
-3 transmembrane domains + a re-entrant loop
Give 3 reasons why it is thought that glutamate receptors are crucial in memory development and retention
- High densities of glutamate activated channels are found in regions of the brain associated with memory function / learning
- Drugs that block glutamate action (block NMDA receptors) inhibit learning and memory
- Drugs that potentiate the actions of glutamate enhance learning + memory
Synthesis and release of Glutamate:
Glutamate is synthesised by the a)_________ but is altered and stored as b)_________ in the presynaptic neuron. When it is needed, (b) is converted back to glutamate via the enzyme c)___________ (PAG) in the presynaptic neuron.
Glutamate is then released via exocytosis, acts on the postsynaptic receptor and undergoes reuptake via d)______________ that transport it to the glial cell
-Glutamine
- Excitatory amino acid transporters (EAATs)
-Phosphate activated glutaminase
-Glial cell
a) Glial Cell
b) Glutamine
c) Phosphate activated glutamiase
Glutamatergic synaptic currents have a fast and slow component:
a) what mediates the fast component
b) what mediates the slow component
-NMDA receptors
-AMPA receptors
a) AMPA
b) NMDA
What is the difference between Ionotropic Glutamate Receptors (iGluRs) and Metabotropic Glutamate Receptors (mGluRs)?
iGluRs:
- membrane ion channels gated by glutamate
mGluRs:
- 7 transmembrane domain proteins that couple to G proteins
- 3 distinct categories (Group I, II & III)
Describe pathways for synthesis, release and breakdown of GABA
Explain how GABA receptors cause inhibition
Understand the molecular subtypes of GABA receptor and their functional diversity