PS263 Chapter Notes - Chapter 2: Ligand-Gated Ion Channel, Otto Loewi, Chemical Synapse
Document Summary
Elliot suggested the sympathetic nerves stimulate muscles by releasing adrenaline or a similar chemical. Otto loewi experimented with frog hearts and concluded nerves send messages by releasing chemicals. The neuron synthesizes chemicals that serve as neurotransmitters. It synthesizes smaller neurotransmitters in the axon terminals and synthesizes neuropeptides in the cell body. Action potentials travel down the axon and at presynaptic terminal it enables calcium to enter cell. Calcium releases neurotransmitters from the terminals and into the synaptic cleft. Released molecules diffuse across cleft, attach to receptors and alter the activity of the postsynaptic neuron. The neurotransmitter molecules separate from their receptors and may be taken back into presynaptic neuron for recycling or may diffuse away. Some postsynaptic cells send reverse messages to control the further release of neurotransmitter by presynaptic cells. Chemicals formed by a change in certain amino acids. Chemical similar to amino acid but includes an n(ch3)3 group instead of nh2.
