Neurocommunications

Calcium ions

Hydrogen ions

Sodium ions

Chloride ions

Potassium ions

Is carried by electrons that travel through cell membranes.

Becomes more positive in response to glutamate acting on glutamate receptors.

Becomes more negative in response to GABA acting at GABA receptors.

Peaks at a positive potential, about +20 mV, during an action potential.

Sits around a negative potential that is about -60 to -70 mV at rest.

Are diverse, consisting of more than 100 different molecules.

Must bind to receptors in order to have an effect.

Can lead to excitation but not to inhibition of a neuron.

Are packaged in synaptic vesicles.

Are very unique substances that are involved in neuronal communication but not in any other bodily function.

Fuse with the cell membrane when calcium ions flood into the synaptic terminal.

Are released more in response to Botox.

Are docked at the post-synaptic membrane by SNARE complexes.

Contain neurotransmitters.

Are released constitutively from the pre-synaptic neuron.

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An action potential invades the motoneuron terminal.

Calcium floods into the motoneuron terminal.

Acetylcholine binds to receptors on the muscle membrane.

The SNARE pin complex changes shape, leading the synaptic vesicle to fuse with the cell membrane.

A synaptic vesicle containing acetylcholine is docked at the pre-synaptic membrane.

Acetylcholine diffuses out of the synaptic vesicle.

A loss of parasympathetic output to the bladder and colon, resulting in an inability to void urine or feces.

A loss of parasympathetic output to the eye, resulting in a large, unresponsive pupil.

Loss of voluntary movement of both arms.

Loss of voluntary movement of both legs.

High parasympathetic tone

Changes in the activity of the enteric nervous system

A highly aroused emotional state of vigilance

High sympathetic tone

Parasympathetic tone, which was high, will increase even to an even higher level

A change in emotional state

An enhancement of memory formation

A decrease in peristalsis produced by a less active enteric nervous system

Sympathetic tone, which was low, will increase dramatically