Module 2.2

Question 1

Neurotransmitters

Answer 1

Chemicals released by a neuron to affect another, made in the presynaptic terminal from amino acids.

Question 2

Nitric Oxide

Answer 2

A neurotransmitter that in large quantities is poisonous, but when released by a neuron will influence other neurons to dilate nearby blood vessels increasing blood flow to the brain

Question 3

Acetylcholine

Answer 3

A neurotransmitter made from acetyl CoA and choline, and usually has an excitatory effect.

Question 4

Dopamine/norepinephrine/epinephrine

Answer 4

Neurotransmitters are formed from Phenylalanine (from diet)

Question 5

Seratonin

Answer 5

Neurotransmitter formed from Tryptophan (from diet)

Question 6

Vesicles

Answer 6

Tiny spherical packets in the presynaptic terminl where neurotransmitters are stored in high concentration

Question 7

MAO (monoamine oxidase)

Answer 7

The neurons that release seratonin, dopamine, or norepinephric contain an enzyme MAO that breakdown these neurotransmitters preventing them from accumulating to harmful levels

Question 8

Exocytosis

Answer 8

When depolaration opens the calcium gates and calcium enters the terminal, exocytosis causes the neutrotransmitters to burst from the presynaptic neuron

Question 9

Diffusion of transmitters

Answer 9

After exocytosis, the neurotransmitters diffuse across the synaptic cleft to the postsynaptic membrane, where it attaches to a receptor

Question 10

Ionotropic Effects

Answer 10

When a neurotransmitter binds to an ionotropic receptor, it twists the receptor just enough to open the central channel. Lets through only particular ions. Best for visual and auditory information that needs to be updates as quickly as possible

Question 11

Types of Neurotransmitters

Answer 11

Amino Acids, monoamines, acetylcholine, neuropeptides, purines, gases

Question 12

Amino Acids

Answer 12

Acids containing an amine group. Used to create most neurotransmitters

Question 13

Monoamines

Answer 13

Chemicals formed by changes in certain amino acids

Question 14

Neuropeptides

Answer 14

Released only after strong stimulation and in large amounts by the dendrites, diffusing widely to cause long-lasting effects.

Question 15

Purines

Answer 15

A category of chemicals including adenosine and its derivatives

Question 16

Catecholamines

Answer 16

Epinephrine, norepinephrine, and dopamine. All contain a catechol group and an amine group

Question 17

Glutamate

Answer 17

Most of the brain’s excitatory ionotropic synapses use this neurotransmitter. Most abundant neurotransmitter in the nervous system

Question 18

GABA (gamma aminobutyric acid)

Answer 18

The main inhibitory neurotransmitter, opening chloride channels to make the neuron less likely to fire.

Question 19

Glycine

Answer 19

A common inhibatory transmitter found mostly in the spinal cord

Question 20

Metabotropic Effects

Answer 20

Exerted by neurotransmitters. Initiates a sequence of metabolic reactions that are slower and lower lasting than ionotrapic effects. Emerge 30ms or more after the release of the transmitter. Lasts up to a few seconds.

Question 21

G Protein

Answer 21

A protein coupled to the guanosine triphosphate (GPT)

Question 22

Guanosine Triphosphate (GBT)

Answer 22

An energy storing molecule

Question 23

Neuromodulators

Answer 23

A type of neurotransmitter that spreads more broadly and affects whole neural tissues.

Question 24

Hallucinogenic drugs

Answer 24

Drugs that distort perception. Chemically resemble serotonin. They attach to serotonin type 2A receptors and provide stimulation at inappropriate times or for longer than usual durations

Question 25

Nicotine

Answer 25

Stimulates a family of acetylcholine receptors. Nicotine receptors are abundant on neurons that release dopamine, no nicotine releases dopamine release.

Question 26

Opiates

Answer 26

Opiates attach to the same receptors in the brain as endorphins

Question 27

Acetylcholinesterase

Answer 27

An enzyme that breaks down acetylcholine into acetate and choline so it can be recycled. Choline diffuses back to the presynaptic neuron, which takes it up and reconnects it with acetate already in the cell to reform acetylcholine. High efficient but takes time

Question 28

Reuptake

Answer 28

The presynaptic neuron take up much or most of the released neurotransmitter molecules intact and resuses them. Occurs through membrane proteins called transporters

Question 29

Transporters

Answer 29

Membrane protein that helps in the process of reuptate

Question 30

Catechol-o-methyltransferase (COMT)

Answer 30

Enzyme that breaks down any transmitter molecules not take up by transporters

Question 31

Stimulant Drugs

Answer 31

Inhibit the transporters for dopamine, decrease reuptake and prolonging dopamine's effects. Blocks serotonin and norepinephrine transporters.

Question 32

Methylphenidate (Ritalin)

Answer 32

Prescribed for ADHD

Question 33

Autoreceptors

Answer 33

Receptors that respond to the released transmitter by inhibiting further synthesis and release, Provides negative feedback.

Question 34

Cannabinoids

Answer 34

Bind to Anandamide receptors telling the neuron to stop releasing its messages (reducing both excitation and inhibition).

Question 35

Gap Junction

Answer 35

The membrane of one neurone comes into direct contact with the membrane of another

Question 36

Hormone

Answer 36

Chemical secreted by cells in one part of the body and conveyed by the blood to influence other cells

Question 37

Two types of hormones

Answer 37

Protein hormones and peptide hormones

Question 38

Pituitary gland

Answer 38

Attached to the hypothalamus. Has two parts which release different set of hormones.

Question 39

Anterior pituitary

Answer 39

Composed of glandular tissue, synthesizes six hormones. The release of these hormones is controlled by the hypothalamus

Question 40

Posterior pituitary

Answer 40

Composed of neural tissue. Considered an extension of the hypothalamus. Neurons in the hypothalamus synthesize the hormones oxytocin and vasopressin.

Question 41

Hormone release

Answer 41

Secreted by the hypothalamus and flows through the blood to the anterior pituitary. They stimulate or inhibit the release of other hormones

Question 42

Second Messenger

Answer 42

Second messengers are chemicals that alter metabolism or gene expression within a postsynaptic neuron. At metabotropic synapses, the neurotransmitter attaches to a receptor and thereby releases a second messenger.