Neurotransmitters

Neurotransmitters

A substance that acts as a chemical bridge in nerve impulse transmission between nerve cells. They are secreted by axon terminal of presynaptic neuron to a synaptic cleft.

Axondendritic

Type of synapse: a dendrite

Axosomatic

Type of synapse: soma

axoaxonic synapse

Type of synapse: axon

Chemical synapsis

Type of synapsis in which neurons communicate by neurotransmitters

Electrical synapsis

Type of synapsis where adjacent cells are joined by gap junctions and ions diffuse directly from one cell into the next cell.

(e.g. cardiac muscle)

Axon terminal

It contains synaptic vesicles, many of which are “docked” at release sites on the plasma membrane, ready to release neurotransmitter on demand.

Postsynaptic neuron

It lacks conspicuous specializations.

Ligand-gated ion channel

The receptor protein that binds and responds to neurotransmitters

Excitatory post synaptic potential (EPSP)

Graded potential that depolarize the postsynaptic neuron due to influx of positive ion thereby increasing likelihood of the firing action potential of postsynaptic cell.

Inhibitory post synaptic potential (IPSP)

Graded potential that hyperpolarize the postsynaptic neuron due to net influx of negative ion and net efflux of positive ion thereby decrease the likelihood of the firing action potential of a cell.

Glutamate, Aspartate, Nitric oxide

Excitatory Neurotransmitters

Glycine, GABA, Serotonin, Dopamine

Inhibitory Neurotransmitters

Acetylcholine, Norepinephrine

Excitatory AND Inhibitory Neurotransmitters