Chapter 3.2

Question 1

Qualifications to be a transmitter

Answer 1

Can be synthesized by presynaptic neurons and stored in axon terminals
Released when action potentials reach the terminal
Recognized by specific receptors located on the postsynaptic membrane
Causes changes in the postsynaptic cell
Blocking its release interferes with the ability of the presynaptic cell to affect the postsynaptic cell

Question 2

Gas neurotransmitter

Answer 2

A neurotransmitter that is a soluble gas

Question 3

Glutamate

Answer 3

An amino acid transmitter, the most common excitatory neurotransmitter

Question 4

Gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA)

Answer 4

A widely distributed amino acid transmitter, the main inhibitory transmitter in the mammalian nervous system

Question 5

Co-localization

Answer 5

The synthesis and release of more than one type of neurotransmitter by a given presynaptic neuron

Question 6

Basal forebrain

Answer 6

A region, ventral to the basal ganglia, that is the major source of cholinergic projections in the brain

Question 7

Dopamine (DA)

Answer 7

A monoamine transmitter found in the midbrain - especially the substantia nigra - and in the basal forebrain

Question 8

Dopaminergic

Answer 8

Referring to cells that use dopamine as their synaptic transmitter

Question 9

Ventral tegmental area (VTA)

Answer 9

A portion of the midbrain that projects dopaminergic fibers to the nucleus accumbens

Question 10

Serotonergic

Answer 10

Referring to cells that use serotonin as their synaptic transmitter

Question 11

Raphe nuclei

Answer 11

A string of nuclei in the midline of the midbrain and brainstem that contain most of the serotonergic neurons in the brain

Question 12

Serotonin (5-HT)

Answer 12

A synaptic transmitter that is produced in the raphe nuclei and is active in structures throughout the cerebral hemispheres

Question 13

Norepinephrine/Noradrenaline (NE)

Answer 13

A neurotransmitter produced and released by sympathetic postganglionic neurons to accelerate organ activity

Question 14

Locus coeruleus

Answer 14

A small nucleus in the brainstem whose neurons produce norepinephrine and modulate large areas of the forebrain

Question 15

Lateral tegmental area

Answer 15

A brainstem region that provides some of the norepinephrine-containing projections of the brain

Question 16

Opioid peptide

Answer 16

A type of endogenous peptide that mimics the effects of morphine in binding to opioid receptors and producing marked analgesia and reward

Question 17

Retrograde transmitter

Answer 17

A neurotransmitter that diffuses from the postsynaptic neuron back to the presynaptic neuron

Question 18

How are gas neurotransmitters different from traditional neurotransmitter?

Answer 18

Produced in cellular locations other than axon terminals, especially in dendrites, and are not held in vesicles
No receptors are involved, instead diffusing inside to trigger second messengers
Can function as retrograde transmitters

Question 19

What are the primary functions of glutamate, where is it found, and what are its receptors?

Answer 19

Primary excitatory neurotransmitter in the brain, aids learning and memory
Found everywhere
Ionotropic receptors: AMPA, NMDA, kainite
Metabotropic receptors: mGLUR1 to mGLUR8

Question 20

What are the primary functions of GABA, where is it found, and what are its receptors?

Answer 20

Primary inhibitor neurotransmitter in the brain, too much causes no LTP, coma, death; too little causes epilepsy and excitotoxicity
Found everywhere
Ionotropic receptors: GABA_A and GABA_C
Metabotropic receptors: GABA_B

Question 21

What are the primary functions of Acetylcholine, where is it found, and what are its receptors?

Answer 21

Mostly excitatory; responsible for arousal, attention, learning, memory, muscle contraction
Two paths: Basal forebrain –> cortex and hippocampus OR midbrain –> hindbrain
Ionotropic receptors: Nicotinic
Metabotropic receptors: Muscarinic

Question 22

What are the primary functions of Norepinephrine, where is it found, and what are its receptors?

Answer 22

Responsible for alertness and mood
Two paths: Locus coeruleus –> forebrain OR lateral tegmental area –> brainstem and spinal cord
All receptors are G-protein coupled receptors

Question 23

What are the primary functions of Dopamine, where is it found, and what are its receptors?

Answer 23

Responsible for motivation and reward OR facilitating initiation of voluntary movements
Two paths: Mesolimbocortical pathway from VTA –> nucleus accumbens and cortex OR mesostriatal pathway from the substantia nigra –> basal ganglia and striatum
All receptors are G-protein coupled receptors

Question 24

What are the primary functions of Serotonin, where is it found, and what are its receptors?

Answer 24

Responsible for mood, sleep, sexual behavior, and anxiety
Originates from the raphe nuclei to everywhere including the spinal cord
Most receptors are G-protein coupled receptors except for 5HT3-LGIC