What creates the resting membrane potential of a neuron?
What is the resting membrane potential difference of a neuron (in mV)?
-65 to -70 mV
What triggers opening or closing of the ion channels in a neuron?
Membrane voltage or a neurotransmitter binding to a receptor linked to the channel
When a neuron depolarizes past -55 mV, what channels open to begin the action potential?
Voltage gated Na+ channels
As Na+ diffuses into the cell, it further depolarizes the membrane until it approached the equilibrium potential for Na+. What is this (in mV)?
59 mV
The depolarization of the membrane from Na+ influx triggers the opening of voltage-gated K+ channels. What occurs?
K+ diffuses out of the cell to its equilibrium potential of -90 mV
How do toxins such as pyrethrins cause tremors and seizures?
Block sodium channel inactivation, increasing action potential generation
What two factors influence the speed at which action potentials travel down an axon?
Ions flow directly between neurons in what types of synapses?
Electrical synapses or gap junctions
What causes the release of neurotransmitters into the synapse?
Name 3 families of ionotropic receptors
What occurs when acetylcholine binds to nicotinic receptors?
The nicotinic pore becomes permeable to cations => Na+ diffusion into the cell => depolarization of the post-synaptic neuron
What enzyme in the synaptic cleft breaks down acetylcholine to choline and acetic acid?
Acetylcholinesterase
What causes myasthenia gravis?
Autoantibodies against the alpha1 subunit partially block the acetylcholine receptor in the neuromuscular junction
What is the major inhibitory neurotransmitter? What occurs when the receptor is stimulated
What is the mechanism of action of diazepam and phenobarbital?
Bind to the extracellular sites on the GABA-A receptor - do not open the channel, but they alter the kinetics so that it stays open longer after GABA binds. Makes it harder to depolarize the cell and cause seizures
What is the major excitatory neurotransmitter in the CNS? What are the two receptors it binds to?
What happens after glutamate binds AMPA and NMDA?
What causes excitotoxicity?
Excessive NMDA receptor activation, leading to accumulation of intracellular Ca++ => cell death
A system of microtubules is utilized for transporting proteins, vesicles, etc from the neuronal cell body to the axon and back. What are the names of these microtubules?
What is temporal summation?
Several action potentials from the same pre-synaptic neuron summate to depolarize the post-synaptic neuron
What is spatial summation?
Several action potentials from multiple, different pre-synaptic neurons summate to depolarize the post-synaptic neuron
What is the reticular activating system?
A head or body turn typically localizes disease to what region?
Rostral brainstem or cerebral disease