MSN 671 Final Exam Focus Points UPDATED ACTUAL
QUESTIONS AND CORRECT Answers
Classic synaptic neurotransmission · An electrical current travels down the presynaptic neuron, releasing
neurotransmitters and sending these chemical messengers to the postsynaptic
neuron's receptors. The receiving neuron then converts the chemical message
back into an electrical impulse or results in a cascade of sequential chemical
messages
Ligand-gated ion channel A receptor and a channel
Ligand: a NT, drug, or hormone that binds to a receptor
Can immediately alter the flow of ions when ligand binds
-Ligands can fall anywhere along the agonist spectrum to alter ion flow
Ligand Ligand: a NT, drug, or hormone that binds to a receptor
Ligand-gated ion channel subtypes Pentameric (5 protein subunits): GABA-A, Nicotinic receptors, Strychnine-sensitive
glycine receptors, 5HT3 receptors
Tetrameric (4 protein subunits): AMPA, Kainate, NMDA
Voltage-sensitive ion channel Opening and closing altered by ionic charge or voltage potential
Two types: Sodium and Calcium
, Sodium-charged ion channel Essential for action potentials
Made of 4 subunits forming a central alpha pore; each subunit is made of 6
transmembrane segments:
-Segment 4= voltmeter
-Segment 5-6= ionic filter (only allows Na through)
-Between 3rd and 4th subunits= amino acid plug/pore inactivator
Site of action of many anticonvulsants
Presynaptic transporter Collects NTs from the synapse and transports them back into the neuron for
packaging and release
Monoamine: SERT, DAT, NET
GABA: GAT
Glutamate: EAAT
Norepinephrine role helps control alertness and arousal, stress response, cognitive functioning,
attention/focus
Linked to fight or flight
Acetylcholine role Motivation, memory, cognitive functioning, sleep
Melatonin role Sleep
Released from the pineal gland (increased in darkness)
Serotonin role Sleep, mood, sexuality, appetite, pain
Dopamine role Reward/pleasure, executive functioning, wakefulness, learning, motor control
GABA role Inhibitory
Sleep, mood regulation
Histamine role inflammation, alertness/wakefulness
Process of melatonin production -During darkness, there is no input from the retinohypothalamic tract to the
suprachiasmatic nucleus (SCN) in the hypothalamus-->Signals the pineal gland to
produce melatonin
-MT1 receptor then inhibits neurons in the suprachiasmatic nucleus , decreasing
the wake-promoting actions there
QUESTIONS AND CORRECT Answers
Classic synaptic neurotransmission · An electrical current travels down the presynaptic neuron, releasing
neurotransmitters and sending these chemical messengers to the postsynaptic
neuron's receptors. The receiving neuron then converts the chemical message
back into an electrical impulse or results in a cascade of sequential chemical
messages
Ligand-gated ion channel A receptor and a channel
Ligand: a NT, drug, or hormone that binds to a receptor
Can immediately alter the flow of ions when ligand binds
-Ligands can fall anywhere along the agonist spectrum to alter ion flow
Ligand Ligand: a NT, drug, or hormone that binds to a receptor
Ligand-gated ion channel subtypes Pentameric (5 protein subunits): GABA-A, Nicotinic receptors, Strychnine-sensitive
glycine receptors, 5HT3 receptors
Tetrameric (4 protein subunits): AMPA, Kainate, NMDA
Voltage-sensitive ion channel Opening and closing altered by ionic charge or voltage potential
Two types: Sodium and Calcium
, Sodium-charged ion channel Essential for action potentials
Made of 4 subunits forming a central alpha pore; each subunit is made of 6
transmembrane segments:
-Segment 4= voltmeter
-Segment 5-6= ionic filter (only allows Na through)
-Between 3rd and 4th subunits= amino acid plug/pore inactivator
Site of action of many anticonvulsants
Presynaptic transporter Collects NTs from the synapse and transports them back into the neuron for
packaging and release
Monoamine: SERT, DAT, NET
GABA: GAT
Glutamate: EAAT
Norepinephrine role helps control alertness and arousal, stress response, cognitive functioning,
attention/focus
Linked to fight or flight
Acetylcholine role Motivation, memory, cognitive functioning, sleep
Melatonin role Sleep
Released from the pineal gland (increased in darkness)
Serotonin role Sleep, mood, sexuality, appetite, pain
Dopamine role Reward/pleasure, executive functioning, wakefulness, learning, motor control
GABA role Inhibitory
Sleep, mood regulation
Histamine role inflammation, alertness/wakefulness
Process of melatonin production -During darkness, there is no input from the retinohypothalamic tract to the
suprachiasmatic nucleus (SCN) in the hypothalamus-->Signals the pineal gland to
produce melatonin
-MT1 receptor then inhibits neurons in the suprachiasmatic nucleus , decreasing
the wake-promoting actions there
