Synaptic Transmission

Voltage-gated Ca²⁺ channels

Channels that open when an action potential reaches the presynaptic membrane

Vesicles

Neurotransmitter containers that bind to the presynaptic membrane when Ca²⁺ ions enter the neuron

V-snares

Proteins in vesicles that connect to the postsynaptic membrane

T-snares

Proteins in the postsynaptic membrane that connect to vesicles

Neurotransmitter receptors

Embedded proteins in the postsynaptic membrane

Inhibitory neurotransmitter receptors

Ligand-gated Cl^- channels in the postsynaptic membrane

Excitatory neurotransmitter receptors

Ligand-gated Na⁺ channels in the postsynaptic membrane

Metabotropic receptors

Receptors the in postsynaptic membrane that activate intracellular g-proteins

G-proteins

Proteins that activate or deactivate enzymes in a neuron

Neurotransmitter diffusion

Passive clearance of neurotransmitters from the synaptic cleft

Enzymatic neurotransmitter breakdown

Clearance of neurotransmitters from the synaptic cleft through proteins in the synaptic cleft

Neurotransmitter reuptake

Clearance of neurotransmitters from the synaptic cleft through a pump-like transporter that sweeps neurotransmitter back to the presynaptic cell

Glutamate

Primary excitatory neurotransmitter

GABA

Primary inhibitory neurotransmitter

Acetylcholine

Neurotransmitter related to reward, attention, and memory found in the basal forebrain

Dopamine

Neurotransmitter related to executive function, reinforcement, and movement found in the substantia nigra

Norepinephrine

Neurotransmitter related to parasympathetic activation found in the locus ceruleus

Serotonin

Neurotransmitter related to emotion and attention found in the raphe nuclei

Amino acid neurotransmitters

Glutamate and GABA

Amine neurotransmitters

Acetylcholine, dopamine, norepinephrine, and serotonin