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Neurotransmitters
Neuro
Term | Definition |
---|---|
Synapse types | Chemical (gap) - more common. Electrical (no gap) ions flow from the neuron directly into the target cell. |
Synaptic cleft | the gap between the terminal of an axon and target cell. |
Synaptic vessicles | contain neurotransmitter - only certain neurotransmitters can be received by certain neuroreceptors (key & lock) |
Neurotransmitter | molecules that communicate information between neurons, target cells, and chemical synapses. (Excitatory or inhibitory.) |
Neurotransmitter categories (3) | Amino acids, peptides (larger molecules), monoamines (biogenic amines), Acetylcholine. |
Amino acids | Glutamate (most common excitatory neurotransmitter). GABA (most common inhibitory neurotransmitter, in the brain). Glycine (most common inhibitory neurotransmitter, in the spinal cord). |
Monoamines | For attention, consciousness, cognition, emotion. e.g., Serotonin, Histamine, Catecholamines (dopamine, epinephrine, norepinephrine) |
Peptides | Opioids (for perception of pain). Endorphins |
Acetylcholine | In CNS, functions as a neuromodulator (alters the way other brain structures process information). In PNS, it's released by motor neurons that synapse on skeletal muscle. In ANS, it's a major internal transmitter. |