Chapter 4: Neurtransmitters and Neuropharmacology

Question 1

Exogenous

Answer 1

Arising from the outside of the body.

Question 2

Endogenous

Answer 2

Produced inside the body.

Question 3

Presynaptic

Answer 3

Located on the “transmitting” side of a synapse

Question 4

Synapse

Answer 4

The cellular location at which information is transmitted from a neuron to another cell.

Question 5

Neurotransmitters (also called transmitter)

Answer 5

A signaling chemical, released by a presynaptic neuron, that diffuses across the synaptic cleft to alter the functioning of the postsynaptic neuron.

Question 6

Neurotransmitter receptor (also called receptor)

Answer 6

A specialized protein that is embedded in the cell membrane, allowing it to selectively sense and react to molecules of the corresponding neurotransmitter

Question 7

Reuptake

Answer 7

The reabsorption of molecules of neurotransmitter by the neurons that released them, thereby ending the signaling activity of the transmitter molecules

Question 8

Transporter

Answer 8

A specialized membrane component that returns transmitter molecules to the presynaptic neuron for reuse

Question 9

ionotropic receptor (also called ligand-gated ion channel)

Answer 9

A receptor protein containing an ion channel that opens when the receptor is bound by an agonist

Question 10

metabotropic receptor

Answer 10

A receptor protein that does not contain ion channels but may, when activated, use a second messenger system to open nearby ion channels or to produce other cellular effects

Question 11

Receptor subtype

Answer 11

Any type of receptor having functional characteristics that distinguish it from other types of receptors for the same neurotransmitter.

Question 12

amino acid neurotransmitter

Answer 12

A neurotransmitter that is itself an amino acid. Ex: GABA, glycine, glutamate

Question 13

peptide neurotransmitter (also called neuropeptide)

Answer 13

A neurotransmitter consisting of short chain oh amino acids

Question 14

amine neurotransmitter

Answer 14

A neurotransmitter based on modification of a single amino acid nucleus. Ex: acetylcholine, serotonin, dopamine

Question 15

gas neurotransmitter

Answer 15

A neurotransmitter that is a soluble gas. Ex: nitric oxide

Question 16

acetylcholine (ACh)

Answer 16

A neurotransmitter that is produced and released by the autonomic nervous system, by motor neurons, and by neurons throughout throughout the brain.

Question 17

glutamate

Answer 17

An amino acid transmitter, the most common excitatory transmitter in the brain.

Question 18

gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA)

Answer 18

A widely distribute animo acid transmitter, the main inhibitory transmitter in the mammalian nervous system

Question 19

co-localization

Answer 19

the synthesize and release of more than one type of neurotransmitter by a given presynaptic neuron.

Question 20

cholinergic

Answer 20

Referring to cells that use acetylcholine as their synaptic transmitter

Question 21

basal forebrain

Answer 21

A region, ventral to the basal ganglia, that is a major source of cholinergic projections in the brain.

Question 22

dopamine (DA)

Answer 22

A monoamine transmitter found in the midbrain, -especially in the substantia nigra -and in the basal forebrain

Question 23

dopaminergic

Answer 23

referring to the cells that use dopamine as their synaptic transmitter

Question 24

substantia nigra

Answer 24

A brainstem structure that innervates the basal ganglia and is a major source of dopaminergic projections.