Membrane Transport, Electrophysiology, and Synapses Flashcards

Flashcards based on lecture notes about membrane transport, electrophysiology, channel selectivity, and synapses.

What types of substances easily permeate through the cell membrane?

Small, nonpolar molecules.

Name the categories of membrane transport proteins.

Channels, selective transport facilitators, ion-coupled transporters, and ATP-driven pumps.

What is the functional difference between SGLT and GLUT?

It establishes an electrochemical gradient that drives the transport of glucose.

What are the two major driving forces for membrane transport?

The electric and concentration gradient.

Explain the differences between P-type pumps, rotary V-type proton pumps, rotary F0-F1 ATP synthases, and MDR pumps.

They differ in their mechanisms of action and the types of ions they transport. P-type pumps use phosphorylation, V-type use ATP hydrolysis to pump protons, F0-F1 ATP synthases use proton gradients to synthesize ATP, and MDR pumps transport a wide variety of substrates.

What are the components of the knee-jerk reflex circuit?

Afferent (sensory) neuron, efferent (motor) neurons, and an inhibitory interneuron.

What are the roles of the Na/K pump and leakage channels in maintaining the resting potential?

Na/K pump maintains ion gradients, and leakage channels allow ions to flow down their electrochemical gradients, contributing to the resting potential.

What are the functional states of a voltage-gated Na+ channel?

Closed, open, and inactivated states.

Why must the K+ current be delayed in an action potential?

It allows repolarization of the membrane after depolarization.

What are the key structural features of a voltage-gated K+ channel?

TM domains, pore-forming helices, selectivity filter, and voltage sensor.

What membrane potential is established by an ion characterized by ideally selective permeability?

The membrane potential established by an ion with dominating permeability.

What must be considered when discussing the differences in solvation energy between K+ and Na+?

The size and energy of solvation.

How does myelination assist in neural coding?

It changes the distance between the charges.

Why are proteins such as myelin basic protein in the myelin sheath?

To stabilize membranes in the stack.

Name connectivity types for several neurons.

Divergent, convergent, and feedback.

What are the main components of a synapse?

Pre-synaptic terminal, post-synaptic terminal, synaptic cleft, secretory vesicles, and receptors.

What changes of membrane potential occur in the post-synaptic cell depending on the type of neurotransmitter and receptor?

Changes include EPSP (excitatory post-synaptic potential) or IPSP (inhibitory post-synaptic potential).

Briefly sketch the functional cycle of a synaptic vesicle.

Docking complex, fusion events, and neurotransmitter recycling.

What are the roles of clathrin and dynamin in vesicular cycling?

Clathrin and dynamin.