Week 4 Flashcards
(114 cards)
What is a receptor? Definition and properties
A receiving molecule (glycoprotein) that sends specific messages into cells once the appropriate ligand has been bound
N terminal generally the one being bound (in extracellular environment)
What is amplification?
Receptors amplify signals
They work at very low concentrations
Time scales different dependent on drug/receptor - from ms to days
Ligand-gated receptor/channel complexes - definition and example
Five subunits with pore in the middle, look like a flower from above
Each subunit has a binding site for a drug
Example: Nicotinic receptor
G-protein-coupled receptors - definition and example
one single protein that spans 7 transmembrane regions
N-terminal - ligand-binding site
C-terminal G-protein binding region
Examples: Muscarinic receptors
What is a G protein?
Guanine nucleotide (GTP/ GDP) binding proteins
3 subunits - alpha, beta, gamma
A G protein attached to GTP is active, or “on,” while a G protein that’s bound to GDP is inactive, or “off.”
What are the subtypes of alpha G-protein subunits?
Gs (stimulate), Gi (inhibit), Gq
Tyrosine kinase receptors - discussion and example
Ligand (such as insulin) binds to receptor which essentially allow glucose into fat cells to be stored / processed
Process - ligand binds, two channels move together, phosphate is added to the tyrosine on the receptor which allows the channel to open
1 protein subunit, 1 transmembrane
domain
Example - insulin
Intracellular (or nuclear) receptors
Found within the cell
Example - cortisol hormone receptor
What are other drug binding targets (other than receptors)? (3)
proteins, such as receptors, enzymes, transporters, ion channels or genetic material, such as DNA.
Why do we need to regulate level of breathing?
Adjusted to meet demand for O2 and production of CO2
In what circumstances does O2 requirements or Co2 production increase? 4 examples
Exercise, infection, injury, metabolic dysfunction
How do you increase amount of O2 transported?
Both ventilation AND increased cardiac output
Physiological process of breathing
Nerve signals sent from CNS to respiratory muscles (which are skeletal muscles) to tell them to relax and contract
Key respiratory muscles for inspiration and expiration
Inspiration - Diaphragm, external Intercostal muscles, pectorals, sterocleidomastoid, scalene
Expiration - elastic recoil of diaphragm, internal intercostals, abdominals
How does the brainstem dictate the basic breathing pattern?
Complex series of nueronal connections that interpret and determine the body’s need for oxygen
What factors determine the rate and depth of breathing?
Receptors in muscles and joints (direct rather than waiting for CO2 levels to go up)
Stretch receptors in lungs
Chemoreceptors
Central chemoreceptors - where, function, overview of mechanism
In medulla
Monitors changes in arterial CO2
Responds to changes in H in CSF but does NOT directly respond to changes in blood pH
Do not respond to changes in O2 levels
MECHANISM - negative feedback loop
Peripheral chemoreceptors - where, function, overview of mechanism
In carotid and aortic bodies
Activated by O2 levels, CO2 levels, and acidaemia (low pH)
Sends signal to respiratory centres in medulla via sensory nerves to increase ventilation
Negative feedback loop
What is the hypercapnic drive?
Predominant stimulus underlying urge to breathe
Ventilation is generally proportional to PaCO2 (because of the importance of pH to homeostsis)
What is hypoxic drive?
Occurs at VERY low PaO2
Low PaO2 stimulates increased ventilation (buth this drive only kicks in only at very low PaO2)
What steps are required for the initiation of breathing?
CNS sends message to inspiratory muscles to start breathing
Breathing feedback mechanisms overview (4 outlined)
Central chemoreceptors
Peripheral chemoreceptors
Muscles
Emotional stimuli
Irritant and stretch receptors in lungs
What is sleep apnoea?
Temporary cessation of breathing during sleep
More than 5 episodes per hour lasting more than 10 seconds
Causes tiredness, cardiovascular complications, obesity/diabetes
What test is used to diagnose sleep apnoea?
Polysomnography EOG EEG ECG MANY TESTS