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Excitatory
Postsynaptic
Potential (EPSP)
Brief depolarization
of a neuron
membrane in
response to
stimulation
Neuron is more
likely to produce an
action are
potential
EPSPs
associated with the
opening of sodium
channels: allows
influx of Na+
Inhibitory
Postsynaptic
Potential (IPSP)
Brief
hyperpolarization of
a neuron membrane
in response to
stimulation
Neuron is less likely
to produce
an action
IPSPs
are typically
potential with the
associated
opening of potassium
channels (allows an
efflux of K+)
or chloride channels
-
Temporal
summationtwo (or
more) inputs at
THE SAME LOCATION
but at DIFFERENT
TIMES
Spatial summation
two (or more) inputs at
DIFFERENT LOCATIONS
but at the SAME TIME
1.
2.
3.
4.
The evidence that chemical neurotransmitters are released from nerve terminals
and affect target cells.
Some soluble chemical being released by the Vagus nerve was controlling the heart rate.
Not a direct connection between the nerve and the heart. The chemical is acetylcholine.
(Parasympathetic
Nervous System)
Acetylcholine
(Sympathetic
Nervous System)
Epinephrine
Acetylcholine
Ionotropic
receptors are
fastquickly
change shape
and open or
close an ion
channel when
the transmitter
molecule binds.
Metabotropic
receptors are
slowwhen
activated
they alter
chemical
reactions in
the cell,
using a
system of
second
messengers,
to open an
ion channel.
Controls
many
behaviors
ranging from
alertness to
mood to
sexual
Important for
many
aspects of
behavior
such as
mood,
anxiety, and
Types of neurotransmitters:
Amine neurotransmittersacetylcholine, dopamine,
serotonin.
Amino acid neurotransmittersGABA, glutamate.
Peptide neurotransmitters, or neuropeptides
oxytocin, vasopressin.
Gas neurotransmittersnitric oxide, carbon
monoxide.
Presynaptic
Tetrodotoxin
(Puffer fish)
Saxitoxin
(Dinoflagellate
algal blooms or red tide)
paralytic shellfish
poisoning from eating
mussels, clams who
have eaten the
dinoflagellates
Block voltage-gated
Na+ channels, and thus
AP propagation
Diaphragm muscle fails
to contractsuffocation
ensues.
Presynaptic
Tetrodotoxin
(Puffer fish)
Saxitoxin
(Dinoflagellate)
Charybdotoxin
(Scorpion venom)
Acts by blocking a
K+ channel.
Broaden the AP and
increase the duration of
Ca2+ influx.
This leads to
overstimulation,
convulsions and death.
Presynaptic
Tetrodotoxin
(Puffer fish)
Saxitoxin
(Dinoflagellate)
Charybdotoxin
(Scorpion)
Agatoxin
(Funnel-web spider)
Conotoxin
(Cone snail)
Used to capture prey.
The mechanism of
action of these
is to block Ca2+
channels at the
nerve terminal
--this effectively decouples synapses and can lead to paralysis.
Presynaptic
Tetrodotoxin
(Puffer fish)
Saxitoxin
(Dinoflagellate)
Charybdotoxin
(Scorpion)
Agatoxin
(Funnel-web spider)
Conotoxin
(Cone snail)
Botulinum Toxin
(Botox)
Tetanus Toxin
(bacteria)
These clostridial toxins
act by cleaving the
proteins important for
fusing the presynaptic
vesicles with the presynaptic membrane.
Presynaptic
Tetrodotoxin
(Puffer fish)
Saxitoxin
(Dinoflagellate)
Charybdotoxin
(Scorpion)
Agatoxin
(Funnel-web spider)
Conotoxin
(Cone snail)
Botulinum Toxin
Tetanus Toxin
(bacteria)
Latrotoxin
(Black Widow Spider)
Causes massive transmitter release (and thus depletion of
neurotransmitter). by somehow bypassing the Ca 2+
dependence of release. It causes transmitter release in the
absence of electrical stimulation and Ca 2+ influx through Ca2+
channels.
Presynaptic
Tetrodotoxin
(Puffer fish)
Saxitoxin
(Dinoflagellate)
Charybdotoxin
(Scorpion)
Agatoxin
(Funnel-web spider)
Conotoxin
(Cone snail)
Botulinum Toxin
Tetanus Toxin
(bacteria)
Latrotoxin
(Black Widow Spider)
Caffeine
Presynaptic
Tetrodotoxin
(Puffer fish)
Saxitoxin
(Dinoflagellate)
Charybdotoxin
(Scorpion)
Agatoxin
(Funnel-web spider)
Conotoxin
(Cone snail)
Botulinum Toxin
Tetanus Toxin
(bacteria)
Latrotoxin
(Black Widow Spider)
Caffeine
Postsynaptic
Presynaptic
Tetrodotoxin
(Puffer fish)
Saxitoxin
(Dinoflagellate)
Charybdotoxin
(Scorpion)
Agatoxin
(Funnel-web spider)
Conotoxin
(Cone snail)
Botulinum Toxin
Tetanus Toxin
(bacteria)
Latrotoxin
(Black Widow Spider)
Caffeine
Neurotoxins
Postsynaptic
Curare (plant toxin)
Cobratoxin
(Cobra snake)
Alpha bungarotoxin
(Krait snake)
Cocaine,
amphetamines and
antidepressants
inhibit re-uptake of
transmitter,
prolonging
their effects.
Presynaptic
Tetrodotoxin
(Puffer fish)
Saxitoxin
(Dinoflagellate)
Curare,
Cobratoxin
(Cobra snake)
Alpha bungarotoxin
(Krait snake)
Cocaine,
amphetamines
and
antidepressants
Charybdotoxin
(Scorpion)
Agatoxin
(Funnel-web spider)
Conotoxin
(Cone snail)
Botulinum Toxin
Tetanus Toxin
(bacteria)
Organophosphate
insecticides
Latrotoxin
(Black Widow Spider)
Caffeine
Postsynaptic
Presynaptic
Tetrodotoxin
(Puffer fish)
Saxitoxin
(Dinoflagellate)
Charybdotoxin
(Scorpion)
Agatoxin
(Funnel-web spider)
Conotoxin
(Cone snail)
Botulinum Toxin
Tetanus Toxin
(bacteria)
Latrotoxin
(Black Widow Spider)
Caffeine
Postsynaptic
Curare,
Cobratoxin
(Cobra snake)
Alpha bungarotoxin
(Krait snake)
Cocaine,
amphetamines
and
antidepressants
Nerve gas Sarin
Organophosphate
insecticides
LSD, Ecstasy,
Morphine, Heroin,
Marijuana,
act as agonists at
postsynaptic receptors
Alcohol stimulates
inhibitory synapses.