BBS1004 Case 1: Neurotransmission
Learning goals:
1. How does the action potential work?
a. Which ions play a role?
b. Resting potential
c. Myeline sheath → how is the signal propagated
2. How do neurotransmitters work?
a. Types of neurotransmitters
i. Difference between small molecules transmitters and peptides
b. Life cycle of neurotransmitter → stored, release, broken up
c. Criteria for calling something a neurotransmitter → when can you call it that
d. Vesicular release (is dependent on what? And how can the concentration of
that be modulated)
e. How does the synaptic vesicle cycle look like
i. fusion
3. Different types of neurotransmitter receptors and how they differ from each other
a. Metabotropic receptors (G-protein, thyrosine-kinase)
b. Ionotropic receptors (structure and function)
i. EPSPs and IPSPs
References:
• Fundamental neuroscience by Squire
• Principles of neuroscience by Candell
• Neuroscience by Bear
1. How does the action potential work?
Action potential
• Brief reversal of membrane potential with total amplitude of about 100 mV
o Inside neuronal membrane has negative charge at rest (-65 mV) and is
positive during AP
• Depolarization → repolarization → hyperpolarization
Generation of action potential
1. Resting state
o All gated Na+ and
K+ channels are
closed
o Only leakage
channels open →
maintain resting
membrane
potential
o Each Na+ has 2
gates:
Learning goals:
1. How does the action potential work?
a. Which ions play a role?
b. Resting potential
c. Myeline sheath → how is the signal propagated
2. How do neurotransmitters work?
a. Types of neurotransmitters
i. Difference between small molecules transmitters and peptides
b. Life cycle of neurotransmitter → stored, release, broken up
c. Criteria for calling something a neurotransmitter → when can you call it that
d. Vesicular release (is dependent on what? And how can the concentration of
that be modulated)
e. How does the synaptic vesicle cycle look like
i. fusion
3. Different types of neurotransmitter receptors and how they differ from each other
a. Metabotropic receptors (G-protein, thyrosine-kinase)
b. Ionotropic receptors (structure and function)
i. EPSPs and IPSPs
References:
• Fundamental neuroscience by Squire
• Principles of neuroscience by Candell
• Neuroscience by Bear
1. How does the action potential work?
Action potential
• Brief reversal of membrane potential with total amplitude of about 100 mV
o Inside neuronal membrane has negative charge at rest (-65 mV) and is
positive during AP
• Depolarization → repolarization → hyperpolarization
Generation of action potential
1. Resting state
o All gated Na+ and
K+ channels are
closed
o Only leakage
channels open →
maintain resting
membrane
potential
o Each Na+ has 2
gates:
