Neurotransmission & Drug Agonists

Vocabulary flashcards reviewing key terms involved in synaptic transmission and the action of agonist drugs.

Neurotransmitter

A naturally occurring chemical messenger released from a presynaptic neuron that crosses the synapse to activate receptors on a postsynaptic neuron.

Presynaptic Neuron

The nerve cell that releases neurotransmitters into the synaptic gap.

Synapse

The tiny extracellular gap between neurons through which neurotransmitters travel from presynaptic to postsynaptic cells.

Postsynaptic Neuron

The nerve cell equipped with receptors that binds incoming neurotransmitters and responds by opening ion channels.

Receptor Site

A specific protein location on the postsynaptic neuron where neurotransmitters or agonist drugs bind to trigger a response.

Ion Channel

A membrane-spanning protein that opens when its receptor is activated, allowing ions to flow and propagate the neural signal.

Agonist

A drug or molecule that mimics a natural neurotransmitter by binding to the same receptor and producing the same effect, thereby boosting neuronal activity.

Drug Mimicry

The design of synthetic molecules with similar size, polarity, and intermolecular forces to natural neurotransmitters so they can act as agonists at receptor sites.