Neurotransmission and ANS

Question 1

How does botulinum toxin alter synaptic transmission?

Answer 1

It cleaves SNAREs and results in a flaccid paralysis of peripheral areas of the body.

Question 2

How does tetanus toxin affect synaptic transmission?

Answer 2

It cleaves SNAREs and results in a spastic paralysis around the spinal cord area.

Question 3

What is the effect of sarin nerve gas?

Answer 3

It inhibits the activity of acetylcholinesterase which increases the proliferation of acetylcholine and causes overstimulation that results in convulsions and paralysis and eventually death.

Question 4

What are EPSPs?

Answer 4

Excitatory Post-Synaptic Potentials. If the neurotransmitter is excitatory (ACh/Glu) then the membrane will depolarize to around 0 mV. They are NOT APs though.

Question 5

What are IPSPs?

Answer 5

Inhibitory Post-Synaptic Potentials. If the neurotransmitter is inhibitory (Gly/GABA) then metabotropic Cl channels open and the membrane potential hyper polarizes to -60 mV and reduces the chance for an AP.

Question 6

Describe the differences between autonomic and central synaptic transmission.

Answer 6

The ANS uses metabotropic post- synaptic receptors with variable NT effects while the CNS uses fast ionotropic receptors with direct NT effect.

Question 7

What is the difference between sympathetic and parasympathetic preganglionics fibers?

Answer 7

Sympathetic preganglionic fibers are shorter than parasympathetic fibers.

Question 8

What is the difference between sympathetic and parasympathetic postganglionics fibers?

Answer 8

Sympathetic postganglionic fibers are longer that parasympathetic fibers.

Question 9

What is special about the chromaffin cells of the adrenal medulla?

Answer 9

They can be considered postsynaptic neurons because preganglionic axons directly synapse with the medulla and there are no postsynaptic neurons.

Question 10

What is the NT of the parasympathetic preganglionics?

Answer 10

Acetylcholine

Question 11

What is the NT of the parasympathetic postganglionics?

Answer 11

Acetylcholine

Question 12

What is the NT of the sympathetic preganglionics?

Answer 12

Acetylcholine

Question 13

What is the NT of the sympathetic postganglionics?

Answer 13

Norepinephrine and Epinephrine

Question 14

What is an exception to the sympathetic postganglionics?

Answer 14

Sweat glands use ACh on the postganglionic fibers

Question 15

What type of receptors do the sympathetics use?

Answer 15

Adrenergic - Metabotropic

Question 16

What type of receptors do the parasympathetics use?

Answer 16

Muscarinic - Metabotropic

Question 17

What are the types of ACh receptors?

Answer 17

Nicotinic

Muscarinic

Question 18

How is adrenergic transmission terminated?

Answer 18

Norepinephrine is rapidly uptake or degraded.

Question 19

How is cholinergic transmission terminated?

Answer 19

Acetylcholine is hydrolyzed by AChE.

Question 20

What is the function of Diazepam in regards to nerve gases?

Answer 20

It is a sedative to prevent seizures.

Question 21

What is the function of Atropine in regards to nerve gases?

Answer 21

Blocks muscarininc AChRs.

Question 22

What is the function of Pralidoxime in regards to nerve gases?

Answer 22

Recovers AChE function.