Synapses and neurotransmitters.pptVIP

Synapses and neurotransmitters Psychology 2606 Biochemical Activity Otto Loewi did a cool experiment in 1921 Simulated the vagus nerve is a frog’s heart Slowed the heart down Washed heart with solution, collected solution Poured solution on a second heart It slowed!!!! Loewi and his frogs Called the substance vagusstoff Acetylcholine Later stimulated heart rate, similar method Ended up with a sped up heart Epinephrine The Synapse Gap between the axon and the dendrite Neurotransmitters are released across this gap Sometimes, if all of the transmitter isn’t absorbed it is taken back up, this is known as reuptake There is lots of variation in synapses Some are excitatory (Type I) Some are inhibitory (Type II) More about synapses Is the excitatory vs. inhibitory nature of a synapse due to shape? Probably GABA synapses are inhibitory, have less post synaptic thickening Glutamate synapses have more thickening, more vesicles There are 7 types of synapses SEVEN? Yes, Seven Depends on function We usually learn about axodendritic ones Easiest to think about them I guess The Seven Steps in Neurotransmission Synthesis Storage Release Receptor interaction Inactivation Reuptake Degradation The Neurotransmitters Basically, five conditions must be met before we call something a neurotransmitter Present in terminal Released on firing Placing substance or organ emulates firing Uptake for inactivation Inactivation blocks stimulation The Neurotransmitters Acetylcholine (Ach) Monoamines Catecholamines Norepinephrine (NE) Epinephrine (E) Dopamine (DA) Indoleamine Seretonin (5-Ht) Others Histamine (H) More neurotransmitters Amino Acids Glutamate (universally excitatory) GABA (universally inhibitory) Glycine Proline Peptides Substance P Finally…. Morphine like substances Endorphins Enkephalins Other peptides Insulin Prolactin HGH Vasopressin Receptors Transmitters bind to receptors Sort of like a lock and a key Binding site Ion channel One neuron (usually) has only one type of rece