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Neurotransmitters and Their Receptors

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1. Give an example of a neurotransmitter in each category below (answers may vary). a) Purine b) Biogenic amine c) Amino acid d) Peptide Answer: a) ATP b) Dopamine, norepinephrine, epinephrine, ... histamine, serotonin c) Glutamate, aspartate, GABA, glycine d) Substance P, methionine enkephalin, neurokinin A, neuropeptide K, neuropeptide, and any of the peptides listed in Figure 6.22 Textbook Reference: Categories of Neurotransmitters 3. Define and briefly describe the glutamate–glutamine cycle. Answer: It is the process of glutamate recycling and synthesis, which rapidly terminates the action of glutamate on the postsynaptic neuron. Glutamate is taken up into local glial cells and converted to glutamine by glutamine synthase. Glutamine is then released from the glial cells via the SN1 transporter, taken up into nerve terminals vial SAT2 transporters, and subsequently converted back to glutamate within the nerve terminal by glutaminase. Textbook Reference: Glutamate 4. Define excitotoxicity. Why is it clinically important? Answer: Excitotoxicity results from an excessive release of glutamate in the brain during brain trauma or disease that, itself, causes damage to the brain. Textbook Reference: Glutamate 5. What are the three major types of ionotropic glutamate receptors, and why were they given their specific names? Why are two types of these receptors considered to be particularly important? Answer: The three major types are NMDA, AMPA, and kainate receptors; they were named after their respective exogenous agonists. NMDA and AMPA receptors are particularly important because they are present in most central excitatory synapses. Textbook Reference: Glutamate 6. What are the two major inhibitory neurotransmitters in the adult central nervous system? Answer: GABA and glycine Textbook Reference: GABA and Glycine [Show More]

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