Neurotransmitter Release: Lecture 7 Notes(girl)

These flashcards cover key vocabulary and concepts related to neurotransmitter release as discussed in the lecture notes.

iGluSnFr

A fluorescent sensor that becomes fluorescent when bound to glutamate, a neurotransmitter.

Chemical Synapse

A type of synapse where neurons are physically separated and neurotransmitters diffuse across the synaptic cleft.

Electrical Synapse

A type of synapse where gap junctions connect two neurons, allowing intracellular ions to flow between them.

mEPSP (miniature excitatory postsynaptic potential)

A small amplitude spontaneous postsynaptic potential that does not require stimulation and is Ca2+ independent.

EPSP (excitatory postsynaptic potential)

A large amplitude postsynaptic potential that requires presynaptic stimulation and is dependent on Ca2+ levels.

Quanta

Discrete packets of neurotransmitter released during neurotransmission.

SNARE Complex

A complex of proteins (including V-SNARE and T-SNARE) that facilitates the fusion of synaptic vesicles with the presynaptic membrane.

Synaptotagmin

A calcium-binding protein that triggers the release of neurotransmitters upon Ca2+ influx.

Cadherin

A protein that helps bind pre-synaptic and post-synaptic neurons physically.

Dynamin

A protein that pinches off vesicles from the cell membrane in synaptic transmission.

Voltage-gated Ca2+ channels

Channels that open in response to membrane depolarization to allow Ca2+ influx, which is crucial for neurotransmitter release.

Clathrin

A protein that coats the vesicles and helps in the process of vesicle recycling in neurons.

Vesicle

A membrane-bound compartment that stores neurotransmitters ready for release into the synaptic cleft.

Synapse

The junction between two neurons where neurotransmission occurs.

Neurotransmitter

A chemical messenger released from the presynaptic neuron to communicate with the postsynaptic neuron.