Brainscape's Knowledge GenomeTM

Browse over 1 million classes created by top students, professors, publishers, and experts.


See full index

Neurology > Neurotransmitters > Flashcards

Neurotransmitters Flashcards

1
Q

What are the features of synaptic transmission

A 
Plasticity 
Rapid timescale
Adaptability
Diversity
Learning and memory
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
2
Q

What occurs at the dendrites and axons in relationship to communication

A

Dendrites - information reception

Axon - transfer of AP and communication between cells via neurotransmitter release

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
3
Q

What occurs in the soma in relation to communication

A

Integration

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
4
Q

How long does it take for an impulse to travel to the next neuron

A

2ms

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
5
Q

What are the specialised structures of neurotransmission

A 
presynaptic nerve ending/terminal
GAP that has high resistance to electrical charge
Postsynaptic region (dendrite or cell soma)
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
6
Q

What is the size of GAP

A

20-100nm

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
7
Q

What are the 3 stages of synaptic transmission

A
  1. Biosynthesis, packaging and release
  2. Receptor action
  3. Inactivation
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
8
Q

What is the most important amino acid for neurotransmitters

A

Glutamic acid found in GABA

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
9
Q

Describe the activation of a CNS synapse

A
  1. Membrane depolarises
  2. Calcium channels open
  3. Calcium influx into the cell
  4. Vesicles fuse with the membrane
  5. Exocytosis of neurotransmitter
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
10
Q

How fast is synaptic transmission

A

200 microseconds

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
11
Q

what is the intracellular increase in calcium

A

200 micromolars

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
12
Q

How many molecules per synaptic vesicle

A

4000-10,000

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
13
Q

What does the release of transmitter require

A

Docked transmitter containing vesicles on the presynaptic membrane
Protein complex formation between vesicle, membrane and cytoplasmic proteins to enable both vesicle docking and a rapid response to calcium entry
ATP and vesicle recycling

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
14
Q

What contributes to rapid release

A

Synaptic vesicles are filled with the neurotransmitter and are docked in the synaptic zone “primed”
Calcium entry activated a calcium sensor in the protein complex
Interaction between synaptic vesicle and synaptic membrane proteins

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
15
Q

Give 3 examples neurotoxins that target vesicular proteins

A

tetanus toxin causes paralysis
Botulinum toxin toxin causes flaccid paralysis
Alpha latroxin from the black widow spider stimulates transmitter release to depletion

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
16
Q

Describe the ion channel receptor

A

Fast - micro-milliseconds (ms)
Mediates all fast an excitatory and inhibitory transmission
CNS: glutamate,GABA
NMJ: Ach

17
Q

Describe the G-protein coupled receptor

A

Slow - s/min
Effectors may be enzymes (Adenyl cyclase) or channels (e.g. Ca2+ or K+)
CNS/PNS: ACh, dopamine etc.

18
Q

Give examples of the ion channel receptor

A

Nicotinic cholinergic receptors (nAChR)
Glutamate (GLUR)
GABA (GABAR)
Glycine (GlyR) receptor

19
Q

Describe an excitatory ion channel receptor

A

Glutamate

causes an influx of sodium to increase membrane potential

20
Q

Describe an inhibitory ion channel receptor

A

GABA

hyper polarises the membrane to produce a negative potential to inhibit action potentials

21
Q

What are the 2 types of glutamate receptor

A

AMPA and NMDA

22
Q

Which type of glutamate receptor is the majority of fast excitatory synapses

A

AMPA

23
Q

Which type of glutamate receptor is the majority of slow excitatory synapses

A

NMDA

24
Q

How does calcium modify AMPA receptors

A

Calcium modifies the AMPA receptors potentiating the AMPA receptor response and activates protein synthesis which modifies synapse formation

25
Q

Explain how inactivation of the neurotransmitter occurs

A

Largely by rapid reuptake from the synapse

26
Q

Explain the process by which glutamate is removed from the synapse

A

Direct uptake into the presynaptic cleft
Uptake by excitatory amino acid transporter (EAAT) in neuronal and glial cells
Metabolised to glutamine by glutamine synthetase

27
Q

Explain the process by which GABA is removed from the synapse

A

Direct uptake into the presynaptic cleft
Uptake by GABA transporter (GAT)
Metabolised to succinate semialdehyde by GABA transanimase

28
Q

How does GABA differ to glutamate structurally

A

GABA has the same structure but has one less -COOH

29
Q

Describe the structure of the GABA receptor

A

pentameric with many binding domains: steroids, benzodiazepines, zinc, convulsants, ethanol, barbiturates

30
Q

Give an example a drug that aids GABA transmission

A

Antiepileptic
Anxiolytic
Sedative
Muscle relaxant

31
Q

What is epilepsy

A

Characterised by recurrent seizures due to abnormal neuronal excitability

32
Q

What is epilepsy treatment focused on

A

Treatment is focused on damping down excitatory activity by facilitating inhibitory transmission. There is a new generation of drugs targeting the GABA synapse

Neurology (12 decks)

Brainscape helps you reach your goals faster, through stronger study habits.
© 2024 Bold Learning Solutions. Terms and Conditions