Excitatory Synapse
An excitatory synapse is the site of communication between neurons where an impulse is transmitted from one neuron to another, usually by a chemical neurotransmitter released by the axon terminal of the presynaptic neuron. This neurotransmitter then acts on the postsynaptic neuron, causing its membrane to depolarize, and potentially producing an action potential in that neuron. In our project, we will analyze the structure of an excitatory synapse, the steps involved in excitatory signal transmission, the neurotransmitters that characterize these synapses, and other important aspects and applications of this topic.
I. Introduction
II. Mechanism of Synaptic Transmission
a. Chemical vs. Electrical synapses
b. Steps Involved in Signal Transmission
c. Possible Malfunctions of the Synapse
III. Responses of the Postsynaptic Neuron
a. EPSPs and Action Potential
b. Different Possible Outcomes
IV. Types of Excitatory Neurotransmitters
a. Acetylcholine
b. Glutamate
c. Epinephrine
d. Norepinephrine
e. Serotonin
f. Dopamine (can act as both excitatory and inhibitory)
V. Medical Applications
a. Diseases related to Excitatory Synapses
b. Drugs that exploit the Excitatory Synapse
c. Drug Interference with Neurotransmission
Workload Division:
Roderick Geer – Parts I and V
Sam Johnson – Part II
Gabriella Wilson – Parts III and IV
Sources:
http://www.annualreviews.org/doi/full/10.1146/annurev.biochem.76.060805.160029
http://jcs.biologists.org/cgi/content/full/123/6/819
http://www.sciencemag.org/content/307/5713/1324.full
http://www.jstor.org/action/doBasicSearch?Query=excitatory+synapses&acc=on&wc=on
http://www.jstor.org/stable/pdfplus/25465671.pdf?acceptTC=true