Chapter 6 Flashcards
What are the 3 classes of neurotransmitters?
Amino cids, amines, and peptides
What is Dale’s principle?
A neuron has only one neurotransmitter
What are co-transmitters:
2 or more transmitters released from one nerve terminal
Ex: an amino acid or amine + a peptide
What are examples of nomenclatures (-ergic)?
- Cholinergic, noradrenergic, GABAergic, glutamatergic
How do we define particular transmitter systems?
By the molecule, synthetic machinery, packaging, reuptake and degradation, and action
What are the 3 scientific study criteria for establishing a neurotransmitter?
- Synthesis and storage in presynaptic neuron
- Released by presynaptic axon terminal
- When applied, mimics postsynaptic cell response produced by release of neurotransmitter from the presynaptic neuron
What occurs in situ hybridization?
Localizing synthesis of protein or peptide to a cell (detect mRNA)
What is the purpose of immunocytochemistry?
Localize molecules to cells
When studying synaptic mimicry, what is the qualifying condition?
Molecules evokes same response as as the neurotransmitter
What is microiontophoresis?
A technique in which drugs can be ejected in very small amounts to assess postsynaptic actions
What is the function of the microelectrode?
It measures effects on membrane potential
What are the receptor proteins present in molecular analysis?
- Transmitter-gated ion channels (ionotropic receptors)
- GABA(a) receptors
- 4-5 subunits, each made with various combinations of subunit polypeptides - G-protein-coupled receptors (metabotropic receptors)
- GABA(b) receptors
- 7-transmembrane signaling molecules
What is the purpose and function of acetylcholine (ACh)?
- ACh was the first identified neurotransmitter
- Major neurotransmitter at vertebrate neuromuscular junctions
What is the purpose and function of cholinergic (ACh) neurons?
- ACh synthesis requires Choline acetyltransferase (ChAT) enzyme
- ACh degradation mediated by acetycholinesterase (AChE)
What is the function of catecholaminergic neurons?
They are involved in movement, mood, attention, and visceral function
What is tyrosine?
Tyrosine is the precursor for three amine neurotransmitters that contain catechol group
- Dopamine
- Norepinephrine
- Epinephrine (adrenaline)
What enzymes are involved in catecholaminergic?
- Tyrosine hydroxylase (TH)
- Dopa decarboxylase
- Dopamine B-hydroxylase (DBH)
- Phentolamine N-methyltransferase (PNMT)
What are serotonergic (5-HT) neurons?
They are amine neurotransmitters, derived from tryptophan
- Regulate mood, emotional behavior, and sleep; selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) - antidepressants
- Synthesis of serotonin; 2-step synthesis from tryptophan; enzymes: tryptophan hydroxylase, 5-HTP decarboxylase