Read page 424-425 on
drugs and the brain
What 3 major concepts should we
study to understand this article
further?
Synapse
sin-aps, si-naps
Synapse
(noun) Small gap between nerve
cells
Use in a sentence: A synapse is
cool.
Neurotransmitters and
The Synapse
Synapse: unique junction that mediates
information flow from one neuron to
another or effector cell… huh?
Most synapses occur between axon of one
nerve and the dendrite of another… BUT
Pre vs Post
Presynaptic neuron- carries impulse towards
a synapse “Sender”
Postsynaptic neuron- carries impulse away
from a synapse “receiver”
TWO TYPES:
A. electrical synapse
B. chemical synapse
Electrical Synapse
Allow current carrying ions to flow directly
from one neuron to the next
Found in the brain, limited in adulthood
Most are replaced by chemical
synapses
Chemical Synapses
-release/reception of neurotransmitters
Neurotransmitters act to open/close ion
channels
Anatomy of the chemical synapse
axonal terminal
synaptic vesicles
receptor region
synaptic cleft
Information Transfer Across
Chemical Synapses
1. Calcium gates open in the presynaptic
axonal terminal
Depolarization causes voltage-gated Ca2+
channels to open
2. Neurotransmitter is released
Direct result of calcium being present
Exocytosis
3. Neurotransmitter binds to post-synaptic
receptors
4. Ion channels open in the post-synaptic
membrane Boom!
Neurotransmitters
-language of the nervous system
-50 known NT
Classification
1. Acetylcholine (ACh)
-first identified, best understood
2. Biogenic Amines
Include: dopamine, norepinephrine and
epinephrine, histamine and serotonin
3. Amino Acids
4. Peptides (neuropeptides)
substance P, endorphins,
5. Novel Messengers
ATP
Nitric Oxide
Carbon Monoxide
Synthesis of Neurotransmitters