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Introduction to NeuroPhysiology > Synapses and Neuromuscular Junction > Flashcards

Synapses and Neuromuscular Junction Flashcards

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1
Q

Synapse

A

Point of connection and communciation between two cells

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2
Q

Synaptic Transmission

A

Process of communication between two cells

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3
Q

Electrical Synapse

A

Synapse which communicates via electrical currents

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4
Q

Chemical Synapse

A

Synapse that communicates via chemical movement, found in CNS

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5
Q

Gap Junctions

A

Point of electrical transmission. Tiny spaces between neurons filled with connexins. Allow cells to be highly synchronised, common in early development

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6
Q

Connexin

A

Made of 6 subunits to create a channel between two cells that ions can flow through

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7
Q

Electrically Coupled

A

Cells where the electrical current can pass from one cell to another

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8
Q

Post synaptic potential

A

temporary change in the electric polarization of the membrane of a nerve cell, caused by transmission from a neighbouring cell

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9
Q

Synaptic Vesicles

A

Vesicles about 50 nm filled with Neurotransmitters

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10
Q

Secretory Granules

A

Vesicles about 100 nm, filled with soluble proteins

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11
Q

membrane differentiation

A

Dense accumultions of proteins on either side of the synaptic celft

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12
Q

Active Zones

A

Sites of Neurotransmitter release

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13
Q

Postsynaptic Density

A

Proteins thickly layered around post synaptic membrane

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14
Q

axodendritic

A

axon to dendrite

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15
Q

axosomatic

A

axon to soma

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16
Q

axoaxonic

A

axon to axon

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17
Q

axospinous

A

Axon to dendritic spine

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18
Q

dendodendritic

A

dendrite to dendrite (rare9

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19
Q

Gray’s Type 1 synapse

A

Post synaptic cell is bigger than pre synaptic cell, also called asymmetric synapses
Usually excitatory

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20
Q

Gray’s type 2 synapse

A

Cells are same size or symmetrical
Usually inhibitory

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21
Q

Neuromuscular Junction

A

the point of communication between a nerve fibre and the end plate of the muscle fibre

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22
Q

Motor end plate

A

innervated tissue in Neuromuscular junction

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23
Q

Neurotransmitters

A

Chemically Messengers used by the brain at he synapse, divided into three subtypes, amines, amino acids, and peptides.

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24
Q

Amines

A

Small Neurotransmitters stored in vesicles include:
Acetylcholine (ACh)
Dopamine (DA)
Epinephrine
Histamine
Norepinephrine (NE)
Serotonin (5-HT)

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25
Amino Acids
Small Neurotransmitters stored in vesicles include: GABA Glutamate (Glu) Glycine (Gly)
26
Petides
Large soluble Neurotransmitters stored in secretory granules include: Cholecystokinin (CCK) Dynorphin Enkephalins (Enk) N-acetylaspartylglutamate (NAAG) Neuropeptide-Y Somatostatin Substance P Thyrotropin releasing hormone Vasoactive intestinal polypeptide (VIP)
27
Transporters
Get Neurotransmitters into the vesicle
28
Voltage Gated Calcium Channels
Open when AP reaches terminal, triggering Ca2+ influx. Ca2+ triggers vesicle release
29
Exocytosis
How vesicles are released
30
Endocytosis
How vesicle membrane is recaptured to be recycled
31
SNARE proteins
Proteins on membranes that allow the vesicles to dock into place before being released, when Ca2+ enters they cleave and the Vesicle merges with the cell membrane inducing exocytosis
32
V-snares
Snares on vesicles
33
T-snares
Snares on membrane
34
Secretory Granule Release
Need a very high AP to be released, otherwise system is similar to vesicles
35
Transmitter gated ion channels
Form of neurotransmitter receptors. 4-5 subunits make up the channel when a set number of transmitter molecules bind to receptor sites the channel will open allowing specific ions to channel through creating a PSP
36
AChR
Acetylcholine receptors, consist of 5 subunits and 2 receptor sites 2α,1β, 1𝛾, 1δ Permeable to Na+ and K+
37
Excitatory Post synpatic potentials
EPSPs Positive influx of ions in post synaptic cell
38
G-protein coupled receptors
Neurotransmitter binds to receptor proteins, proteins activate G-proteins, that move along postsynaptic membrane, Activate effector proteins (which can cause widespread metabolic changes in the receptor cell) Much slower and long lasting system than traditional receptors
39
Autoreceptors
Recpetors on presynaptic cell (usually g-proteins) Effects vary but commonly: inhibit Nt release, or induce synthesis Helps autoregulation
40
Synaptic enzymes
enzymes that break down excess neurotransmitter in the cleft Eg Acteylcholineesterase
41
Densentization
Receptors becoming desensitised to transmitters and closing
42
Neuropharmacology
Study effects of drugs on the nervous system
42
Neuropharmacology
Study effects of drugs on the nervous system
43
Inhibitors
Inhibit normal function of proteins in transmission
44
Receptor Antagonist
Block receptors
45
Receptor Agonist
Bind to receptors and increase activation
46
nicotinic ACh receptors
ACh receptors in muscles
47
Synaptic Integration
How multiples post synaptic potentials combine within post synaptic cell
48
Quanta
Number of neurotransmitters in one vesicle
49
Mini post synaptic potential
1 quanta of neurotransmitters
50
Quantal Analysis
Analysing quanta released
51
EPSP summation
includes both spatial summation and temporal summation, is the process that determines whether or not an action potential will be generated by the combined effects of excitatory and inhibitory signals, both from multiple simultaneous inputs, and from repeated inputs
52
Spatial Summation
Adding all PSPs from multiple sites in the cell at the same time
53
Temporal Summation
adding PSPs at the same synapse when in quick succession
54
cable theory
cable theory uses mathematical models to calculate the electric current (and accompanying voltage) along passive[a] neurites, particularly the dendrites that receive synaptic inputs at different sites and times
55
inhibitory synapse
synapse that lowers membrane potential of the post synaptic cell
56
IPSPs
making it harder for EPSPs to reach a high enough level via shunting inhibition
57
Modulation
Receptors that do not produce EPSPs or IPSPs, but alter the efficacy of EPSPs
58
Permeability of K+ and Na+ at AChR
Depends on membrane potential (linear R)
59
Vesicles formation
Budding Docking SNARE Synaptogenesis Clathrin Budding Dynamin Repeat
60
Evidence for Chemical Transmission at NMJ
Electron Micrograph w/vesicles time between release ACh released when nerves excitated Muscles contract when ACh exposed
61
Efficacy of drugs and toxins at NMJ
not protected by BBB, thus uniquely susceptible to many
62
Sarin
AChE inhibitor, thus it is not broken down and overwhelms synapse. Used as a nerve agent and pesticide. Can be used to treat Alzheimer's and Myasthenia Gravis
63
Curare and Bungarotoxin
Block receptors to prevent muscle contraction. Curare used medically, because it prevents cleavage of SNARE proteins Bungarotoxin was used in the amazon as a tranquilizer, now commonly used as Botox

Introduction to NeuroPhysiology (6 decks)

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