transmission between neurons

• synaptic transmission - chemical process by which neurons send messages to each other
• PSP - post synaptic potentials
• synapse - junction between two neurons
• ionotropic receptor - direct method of opening a channel. contains binding site and ion channel
• metabotropic receptor - indirect method of opening a channel. contains binding site; initiates chain reaction that opens ion channel
• which type of receptors postsynaptic potential is slower?

  metabotropic
• what are the two types of receptors in synaptic transmission?

  ionotropic and metabotropic
• what are the two types of termination?

  reuptake and enzymatic deactivation (degradation)
• reuptake - transmitter taken back up presynaptic terminal by transporter molecules
• enzymatic deactivation - transmitter broken down by emzymes
• excitatory synapses - increase the likelihood of neuron firing
• inhibitory synapses - decreased likelihood of neuron firing
• integration - summation of postsynaptic potential in control of neuron firing
• EPSP - excitatory postsynaptic potential
• IPSP - inhibitory postsynaptic potenial
• inhibitory neurons do not always inhibit a behaviour > inhibition of inhibitory neurons means there is more likelihood of the behaviour
• types of neurotransmitters:

  GABA

  • most inhibitory neurotransmitter
  • important role in brain development
• types of neurotransmitters:

  glutamate

  • most excitatory neurotransmitter in the cortex
  • roles in learning and memory
• types of neurotransmitters:

  acetylcholine

  • direct action small molecule
  • found in CNS & PNS
  • works primarily in muscles
• types of neurotransmitters:

  serotonin

  • lack of serotonin linked with depression and neuropsychiatric disorders
• types of neurotransmitters:

  dopamine

  • plays diverse roles in human behaviour and cognition
  • pleasure chemical
  • small molecule transmitter
• antagonist - drug that blocks a neurotransmitter
• what is an example of an antagonist?

  botox; blocks release of acetylcholine and paralyses the muscles
• agonist - drug that imitates a neurotransmitter
• what is an example of an agonist?

  muscarine; imitates acetylcholine