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Flashcards in Neurotransmitters Deck (4)
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1
Q

What are the 4 criteria that a neurotransmitter needs to satisfy?

A
  • It must be made in the presynaptic neuron
  • It must be stored presynaptically in vesicles (exception is Nitric oxide - must be made on demand)
  • It must be released on demand
  • It must be inactivated
2
Q

How does inactivation of a neurotransmitter occur?

A

Diffusion

  • easiest way to become ineffective;
  • concentration is so low in the cleft that no neurotransmission occurs

Enzyme inactivation
- enzyme chops it up so it can’t interact with the post-synaptic membrane

Re-uptake
- diffuses, and is then re-uptaken by specialist pores to be used again later

3
Q

What are co-agonists?

A

Chemicals that prime/enhance receptors in terms of their response to a neurotransmitter
e.g.: Glutamate, Zinc, Glycine

4
Q

Summarise the classification of neurotransmitter by their structure

A

Amino acids - simple compound with a carboxyl group and an amino group

  • Glutamate
  • GABA
  • Glycine

Biogenic Amines - comprising of two groups

  • Catecholamines
  • – Norepinephrine
  • – Epinephrine
  • – Dopamine
  • Indolamines
  • – Seratonin

Peptides

  • Encephalin
  • Endorphin
  • Dynorphin