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7 Steps in
Neurotransmitter
Action
1. Synthesis
Enzymes that
synthesize the
precursors of
neurotransmit
ters
Proteins,
amino acids,
soluble gases,
peptides
7 Steps in
Neurotransmitter
Action
2. Storage in
synaptic
vesicles
Small, spherical
membranes that
store
neurotransmitter
and release them
into the synaptic
cleft
7 Steps in
Neurotransmitter
Action
3. Breakdown of any
neurotransmitter
leaking from the
vesicles
7 Steps in
Neurotransmitter
Action
4.
Exocytosi
s process
The
of releasing a
neurotransmi
tter (via Ca+ +
channels)
7 Steps in
Neurotransmitter
Action
5. Inhibitory
feedback via
autoreception
Often on the
presynaptic
membrane, that
are sensitive to a
neurons own
transmitter
7 Steps in
Neurotransmitter
Action
6. Activation of
postsynaptic
receptors
Proteins that
include binding
sites for particular
neurotransmitters
7 Steps in
Neurotransmitter
Action
7.
Deactivatio
n
Via
reuptake
Via
enzymatic
degradatio
n
A (condensed) review so
far
Amino acid neurotransmitters comprise a majority of the fast
acting, directed synapses. Some known are glutamate, aspartate,
glycine, and GABA.
Glutamate most prevalent excitatory neurotransmitteramong
mammals.
GABA most prevalent inhibitory neurotransmitter
Monoamine neurotransmitters are synthesized from a single amino
acid, and are usually found in neurons located in the brain stem. These
are diffusely released in the extracellular fluid. There are four
monoamine neurotransmitters; dopamine, norepinephrine,
epinephrine, and serotonin.
C4H9NO2
C5H9NO4
C9H13NO3
C10H12NO
2