Transmission between neurons

Question 1

What is the synapse?

Answer 1

Small gap between neurons

Question 2

What are neurotransmitters?

Answer 2

Chemicals that carry information across the synapse

Question 3

Describe the process of a transmission between neurons

Answer 3

1. Action potental arrives at the terminal
2. Change in potential causes calcium voltage-gated channels to open
3. Calcium in the terminal causes vesicles to fuse with the presynaptic membrane
4. Neurotransmitter is released into the cleft via exocytosis
5. Neurotransmitter diffuses across and binds with receptors
6. New action potential is triggered in the postsynaptic neuron

Question 4

What are the 3 methods to remove a neurotransmitter from the cleft?

Answer 4

Simple diffusion
Active re-uptake
Deactivation by enzyme

Question 5

How does curare work?

Answer 5

Blocks action of acetylcholine and paralyses prey

Question 6

Where is acetylcholine found?

Answer 6

The brain and neuromuscular junctions

Question 7

What kind of receptors does acetylcholine bind to?

Answer 7

Nicotinic

Question 8

What kind of action is acetylcholine?

Answer 8

Fast and excitatory

Question 9

What are other names for fast and slow in terms of neurotrasnmitter action?

Answer 9

Ionotropic and metabotropic

Question 10

Where is serotonin found?

Answer 10

The brain

Question 11

How does serotonin cause an action potential?

Answer 11

1. Binds to receptors
2. Triggers G-protein
3. Second messenger opens ion channels

Question 12

What else can serotonin do?

Answer 12

Activate genes
Change the synapse
Cause learning

Question 13

What kind of action is serotonin?

Answer 13

Slow and excitatory

Question 14

What does GABA stand for?

Answer 14

Gamma-aminobutyric acid

Question 15

Where is GABA found?

Answer 15

The brain

Question 16

What does the term ‘integrate and fire’ refer to?

Answer 16

The fact neurons will sum the EPSPs and IPSPs and only fire if summation exceeds -55mV