Action Potentials & Synaptic Transmission

Question 1

Potential difference (Voltage)

Answer 1

Measure of pot energy generated by separate charge

Question 2

Current
Resistance - Insulator, conductor

Answer 2

Flow of ions between points

Hindrance to charge flow
- Substance w/ high electrical resistance
- Substance w/ low electrical resistance

Question 3

Capacitor
Resistor
(Passive properties of membrane)

Answer 3

Capacitor - Separates two ionic solutions
Resistor - Mosaic nature of transmembrane proteins (More channels = Less resistance)

Question 4

Acetylcholine
Glutamate
(Vertebrates)

Answer 4

Primary neurotransmitter at vertebrate neuromuscular junction
- Terminated by acetylcholinesterase

Primary neurotransmitter in CNS
- Terminated by removing glutamate from extracellular space

Question 5

Factors that lower intracellular Ca2*

Answer 5

Binding w/ intracellular buffers
Ca2+ ATPases

Question 6

Types of acetylcholine receptors:
Nicotinic receptor
Muscarinic receptor
Ionotropic or metabotropic?

Answer 6

Nicotrinic - Ionotropic
Muscarinic - Metabotropic

Question 7

Adrenergic receptor subtypes:
Alpha 1
Alpha 2
Beta 1
Beta 2

Answer 7

Alpha 1: Norepinephrine
Neurotransmitter binds to alpha 1, phospholipase C activates, IP3 + DAG, Ca2+ channel opens

Alpha 2: Norepinephrine
Neurotransmitter binds to alpha 2, inactivates adrenylate cyclase, inhibits cAMP production, inactivates Ca2+ channel

Beta 1: Norepinephrine/Epinephrine
Neurotransmitter binds to beta 1, activates adrenylate cyclase, activates cAMP production, activates Ca2+ channel

Beta 2: Epinephrine
Neurotransmitter binds to beta 2, activates adrenylate cyclase, increases cAMP