neurotransmitters

What are the properties of neurotransmitters?

Synthesized in neurons,

present in presynaptic terminals,

mimic exogenous effects,

removed from the synaptic cleft.

What are the three main categories of neurotransmitters?

Amino acids, amines, peptides.

Name the amino acid neurotransmitters

Glutamate, GABA, glycine.

What is glutamate's role and classification?

Excitatory, glutamatergic, most common excitatory neurotransmitter in the brain.

What is GABA's role and classification?

Inhibitory, GABAergic, most common inhibitory neurotransmitter in the brain.

What is glycine's role and classification?

Inhibitory, glycinergic, more common in the spinal cord.

Name two amine neurotransmitters

Acetylcholine, norepinephrine.

What is acetylcholine's role and classification?

Cholinergic, abundant in peripheral nervous system, key in neuromuscular junctions.

What is norepinephrine's role and classification?

Noradrenergic, roles in central and peripheral signaling.

How are peptide neurotransmitters stored?

In dense core vesicles or secretory granules, co-released with other neurotransmitters. Only neurotransmitters not stored in vesicles

What makes peptide neurotransmitters unique?

Cell-specific and released at the same time as other neurotrasnmitters, often used to identify interneurons.

How are peptide neurotransmitters synthesized?

From precursor peptides in rough endoplasmic reticulum, cleaved in Golgi, packaged into dense core vesicles.

How are amine and amino acid neurotransmitters synthesized?

In presynaptic terminal cytoplasm by enzymes converting precursors.

What is unique about norepinephrine synthesis?

Converted from dopamine inside vesicles., then need to exit into the cytoplasm to be converted to adrenaline

What enzyme converts glutamate to GABA?

Glutamic acid decarboxylase.

How are amino acid and amine neurotransmitters stored

in vesicles which allow them to be released through exocytosis