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Physiology Exam 1, Lecture 4: Synapses, Neurotransmitters
Cell Physiology
103
Physiology
Graduate
08/26/2011

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Term
What is the synapse between a neuron and an effector cell called?
Definition
A neuroeffector junction
Term
What are the terms for the first neuron and the second neuron which receives the signal?
Definition
Presynaptic neuron; postsynaptic neuron
Term
What is the space between the presynaptic and postsynaptic neuron called?
Definition
The synaptic cleft
Term
What is the term for a synapse between an axon terminal and a dendrite?
Definition
Axodendritic synapse
Term
What is the term for a synapse between an axon terminal and a cell body?
Definition
Axosomatic synapse
Term
What is the term for a synapse between two axon terminals on different cells?
Definition
Axoaxonic synapse
Term
What is the function of an axoaxonic synapse?
Definition
Modulating communication at axodendritic and axosomatic synapses
Term
What stores neurotransmitters in the presynaptic neuron?
Definition
Synaptic vesicles
Term
What triggers release of a synaptic vesicle?
Definition
Opening of a calcium channel after a depolarization
Term
What are three ways to get rid of neurotransmitters in the synapse?
Definition
Degragation by enzymes, reuptake, or diffusion away from the synaptic cleft
Term
What is another name for a channel-linked receptor?
Definition
An ionotropic receptor
Term
What is the term for a G-protein linked receptor a neurotransmitter binds to?
Definition
A metabotropic receptor
Term
What are two differences between a channel-linked receptor and a G protein-linked receptor?
Definition
G protein-linked receptors are slower and can cause a channel to open or close
Term
What two ways can a G protein-linked channel respond to a neurotransmitter?
Definition
By activating an ion channel, or activating a 2nd messenger system
Term
Are neurotransmitter effects always excitatory?
Definition
No, they can be inhibitory (hyperpolarizing) as well
Term
What is the term for an excitatory response due to a neurotransmitter?
Definition
An excitatory post synaptic potential (EPSP)
Term
Are EPSPs and IPSPs graded?
Definition
Yes, they are strongest at the site of origin (usually a dendrite or cell body)
Term
Explain how a EPSP would work
Definition
By binding a neurotransmitter to an ion channel (sodium would move much faster in than potassium would move out)
Term
What usually causes an IPSP?
Definition
The opening of a chloride channel
Term
Which direction is the force for chloride in a neuron?
Definition
Into the cell, hyperpolarizing it
Term
What two results can an inhibitory synapse cause in the posynaptic cell?
Definition
It can hyperpolarize it or stabalize the neuron at resting value
Term
Why is the movement of chloride into a cell an IPSP?
Definition
Because chloride is negative
Term
If chloride channels are open in a cell, what is the effect on an EPSP?
Definition
It can diminish or erase it because the EPSP will make the inside of the cell more positive and pull chloride in
Term
What is a "divergence" arrangement?
Definition
The axon of one neuron has several collaterals that bind to several other neurons
Term
What is a "convergence" arrangement?
Definition
A neuron recieves communication from 100s-1000s of ther neurons
Term
Define neural integration
Definition
The summation proccess from the 100s-1000s of signals arriving from all active synapses
Term
Describe frequency coding
Definition
If action potentials occur at higher frequency, then more neurotransmitter is released, causing stronger communication in the next neuron
Term
In axoaxonic synapses, what is another name for the presynaptic neuron?
Definition
The modulating neuron
Term
How does a modulating neuron generally work?
Definition
By changing the amount of calcium in the cytosol of the 2nd axon, inhibiting or facilitating neurotransmitter release
Term
What effect does increasing the amount of calcium in the cytosol of an axon terminal (presynaptic facilitation)?
Definition
It increases the amount of neurotransmitter released
Term
What is the most abundant neurotransmitter in the PNS?
Definition
Acetylcholine
Term
From what is acetylcholine synthesized?
Definition
acetyl CoA and choline
Term
What enzyme catalyzes the synthesis of acetylcholine?
Definition
Choline acetyl transferase
Term
Why is acetylcholine found in almost all cells of the body?
Definition
It is a 2-carbon molecule produced during energy catabolism and is the initial substrate for the Kreb cycle
Term
What is the term for neurons that synthesize and release acetylcholine?
Definition
Cholinergic neurons
Term
What is the term for postsynaptic neurons that recieve acetylcholine?
Definition
Cholinergic receptors
Term
What enzyme degrades acetylcholine?
Definition
Acetylcholinesterase
Term
What does acetylcholine break down into?
Definition
Acetate and choline
Term
What are the two types of acetylcholine receptors?
Definition
Nicotinic cholinergic receptots (named because nicotine can bind to it) and muscarine cholinergic receptors (named because muscarine can bind to it)
Term
What are the three catecholamines?
Definition
Dopamine (DA), norepinephrine (NE), epinephrine (EPI)
Term
Where are muscarine cholinergic receptors found?
Definition
On visceral organs and in the central nervous system
Term
What do the biogenic amines include?
Definition
The catacholamines, serotonin, and histamine
Term
What catechoamine(s) is/are released primarily in the CNS?
Definition
Dopamine and norpeinephrine
Term
What catechoamine(s) is/are released primarily in the PNS?
Definition
Epinephrine
Term
What are the receptors for epinephrine and norepinephrine called?
Definition
Adrenergic receptors
Term
What are receptors that bind to dopamine called?
Definition
Dopaminergic
Term
What kind of response do biogenic amines usally create in a cell
Definition
Activate G proteins and 2nd messenger systems, or act as autocrines
Term
What are the two enzymes that degrade catecholamine neurotransmitters?
Definition
monoamine oxidase (MAO) and catechol-O-methyltransferase (COMT)
Term
Where is catechol-O-methyltransferase (COMT) and monoamine oxidase (MAO) located?
Definition
The synaptic cleft
Term
What are the functions of serotonin?
Definition
Regulate sleep and emotions
Term
What amino acid neurotransmitters are excitatory?
Definition
Aspartate and glutamate
Term
What amino acid neurotransmitters are inhibatory?
Definition
Glycine and GABA
Term
What is the most commonly released amino acid neurotransmitter at excitatory synapses?
Definition
Glutamate
Term
How are neuropeptides synthesized?
Definition
Like other proteins, in the soma
Term
What neuropeptides are classically known as hormones?
Definition
TRH, vasopressin, and oxytocin
Term
What is the function of the neuropeptide "endogenous opoids"?
Definition
Similar effects as morphine
Term
What neurotransmitters do the endogenous opoids include?
Definition
Enkephalins and endorphins
Term
How does nitric oxide defy the general pattern for neurotransmitters?
Definition
It is a gas, has a very simple structure, is synthesized and diffuses on demand, and can travel to a far away synapse and diffuse inside it
Term
What enzyme controls the rate of nitric oxide releae?
Definition
Nitric-oxide synthetase
(Note: nitric oxide degrades on its own in a few seconds without enzymes)
Term
Define motor unit
Definition
A motor neuron plus all the muscle fibers it innervates
Term
What is the neurotransmitter for the neuromuscular junction?
Definition
Acetylcholine
Term
What kind of receptors are on the motor end plate?
Definition
Nicotinic cholinergic
Term
What type of potential is an end plate potential?
Definition
Graded, but is almost always of sufficient magnitude to depolarize a muscle fiber to threshold
Term
What degrades acetylcholine, and where is it found on the motor end plate?
Definition
Acetylcholinesterase, between the invaginations
Term
In the breakdown of Ach, what is recycled, and what diffuses away?
Definition
Choline, acetate
Term
What is the effect of crotoxin?
Definition
Inhibits release of Ach, flaccid paralysis
Term
What is the effect of curae?
Definition
Nicotonic receptor agonist
Term
What are the effects of organophosphates?
Definition
Block acetylcholinesterase

It is used as insecticides and nerve gas
Term
What is one cause of epilepsy?
Definition
A lack of inhibitory neurotransmittors
Term
Define autoreceptors
Definition
receptors on nerve terminal that are activated by neurotransmitter
released by the nerve terminal. Activation of autoreceptors decreases neurotransmitter
release (negative feedback).
Term
Where are nicotinic (NAChR) receptors found?
Definition
Both on muscle and in the peripheral and central nervous system
Term
What is acetylcholine associated with in the brain?
Definition
Memory and cognition
Term
Describe the synthesis of catecholamines in order
Definition
1. Tyrosine
2. L-Dopa
3. Dopamine
4. Norepinephrine
5. Epinephrine
Term
What are two treatment of Parkinson's disease involving neurotransmitters?
Definition
1. L-dopa is given to people with Parkinson's to make more dopamine
2. COMT inhibitors are used to discourage catecholamine elimination
Term
What is the primary mechanism of elimination of the catecholamines (and indolamines?
Definition
Reuptake into the nerve terminal
Term
Describe Monoamine oxidase
Definition
(MAO)- localized in mitochondria in the nerve terminal. MAO metabolizes both catecholamines and indolamines
Term
Describe Catechol-O-methyl transferase (COMT)
Definition
Primarily localized in the synaptic cleft, COMT degrades catecholamines.
Term
What are the catecholamine receptors?
Definition
1. dopamine – D1-D5

2. adrenergic receptors (norepinephrine and epinephrine) α1, α 2, β1, β 2, β 3
Term
Define serotonin
Definition
An Indolamine, also known as 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT), derived from tryptophan
Term
What are the serotonin receptors?
Definition
5-HT1 – 5-HT7
14 different subtypes of 5-HT receptors
Term
What are the inhibitory amino acid receptors?
Definition
GABA receptors: GABAA& GABAB
Glycine receptors abbreviated GlyR
Term
What are the excitatory amino acid receptors?
Definition
Ionotropic (ligand-gated channels) – AMPA, kainate, N-methyl-D-aspartic acid (NMDA)
Term
How are the amino acid neurotransmitters eliminated?
Definition
Though reuptake into the presynaptic nerve terminal and glia
Term
Describe neuropeptides
Definition
Many neuropeptides are also hormones, synthesized in cell body and transported down axon to nerve terminal
Term
What are the endogenous opiates?
Definition
Endorphins, dynorphins and enkephalins
Term
Define μ-opiate receptor
Definition
Opiate (neuropeptide) receptor for morphine and endorphin
Term
Define δ-opiate receptor
Definition
Opiate (neuropeptide) receptor for enkephalins
Term
Define κ-opiate receptor
Definition
Opiate (neuropeptide) receptor for dynorphin
Term
Describe the receptors for Substance P, a neuropeptide
Definition
tachykinin receptors NK1 – NK3
Term
What is Aprepitant (EMEND) used for?
Definition
An NK1 antagonist, is used to prevent nausea due to chemotherapy by preventing Substance P from binding
Term
Define Nitric Oxide and what it does
Definition
(endothelial derived relaxing factor, EDRF)
Found in nerves and other tissues such as endothelial cells lining blood vessels
Stimulates guanylate cyclase to produce cGMP
Term
How is Nitric Oxide synthesized?
Definition
NO is synthesized from arginine by nitric oxide synthase, which is Ca++ dependent.
Term
What are four ways for a modulator to inhibit neurotransmission?
Definition
1. Blockade of action potential
2. Inhibition of neurotransmitter synthesis
3. Inhibition of neurotransmitter release
4. Receptor antagonism
Term
How do local anesthetics such as lidocane basically work?
Definition
They block action potentials in the presynaptic neuron
Term
How does Clostridium botulinus (botox) work?
Definition
By inhibiting neurotransmitter release
Botulinium toxin gets rid of all the snare proteins used for synaptic fusion and release
Term
List three examples of receptor antagonism causing neurotransmitter inhibition
Definition
curare (nicotinic receptor antagonist),

atropine (muscarinic receptor antagonist),

propranolol (β-adrenergic receptor antagonist)
Term
What are five ways for a modulator to potentiate neurotransmission?
Definition
1. Inhibition of neurotransmitter metabolism
2. Blockade of neurotransmitter reuptake 3. Allosteric modulation of receptor
4. Agonists
5. Precursors
Term
What effects can MAO inhibitors have on the body?
Definition
The potentiation increases Norepinephrine and 5-HT levels.

Used as antidepressants and for Parkinson’s disease.
Term
Give two examples of Blockade of neurotransmitter reuptake
Definition
Cocaine blocks dopamine reuptake
fluoxetine (Prozac) blocks serotonin uptake.
Term
Define Allosteric modulation of receptor
Definition
drugs bind to sites on receptor independent of the neurotransmitter biding site and modulate (increase or decrease) the activity of the neurotransmitter
Term
Give an example of Allosteric modulation of receptor
Definition
diazepam (Valium) binds to GABA receptors and potentiates the GABA-stimulated chloride conductance.
Term
Give an example of an agonist used for neurotransmitter potentiation
Definition
Administration of exogenous agonists phenylepherine, an α-adrenergic agonist
Term
How does neurotransmission in sensory neurons work?
Definition
If a sensory nerve's graded potential is stimulated to threshold, an action potential is propagated to the spinal cord. Neurotransmitter then released from the nerve terminals and activates the post-synaptic neuron in the CNS
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