Difference between revisions of "Neurotransmitter"
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| − | '''Neurotransmitters''' are | + | '''Neurotransmitters''' are [[chemical]]s in the [[nervous system]] that communicate information between [[neuron]]s. Neurotransmitters are released from a [[presynaptic terminal]] of one neuron and cross the [[synaptic cleft]] (the space between neurons) before binding to a [[receptor]] on another neuron. Austrian scientist [[Otto Loewi]] discovered the first neurotransmitter, [[acetylcholine]], in 1921 while experimenting on [[frog]]s. |
== Neurotransmitter Guidelines == | == Neurotransmitter Guidelines == | ||
| Line 6: | Line 6: | ||
*it must be found in a neuron | *it must be found in a neuron | ||
*it must be released when a neuron is stimulated | *it must be released when a neuron is stimulated | ||
| − | *when it is released it must bind to a receptor and cause a biological change | + | *when it is released it must [[binding|bind]] to a [[receptor]] and cause a biological change |
*after release the chemical must become inactive | *after release the chemical must become inactive | ||
| − | *when applied manually to post-synaptic membrane the chemical must have the same biological effect that it did when | + | *when applied manually to post-synaptic [[membrane]] the chemical must have the same biological effect that it did when released from a neuron |
| − | [[ | + | == Examples of Common Neurotransmitters == |
| + | *Acetylcholine | ||
| + | *Serotonin | ||
| + | *Glutamate | ||
| + | *GABA | ||
| + | |||
| + | [[Category:Neuroscience]] | ||
Latest revision as of 16:34, July 13, 2016
Neurotransmitters are chemicals in the nervous system that communicate information between neurons. Neurotransmitters are released from a presynaptic terminal of one neuron and cross the synaptic cleft (the space between neurons) before binding to a receptor on another neuron. Austrian scientist Otto Loewi discovered the first neurotransmitter, acetylcholine, in 1921 while experimenting on frogs.
Neurotransmitter Guidelines
To be considered a neurotransmitter, a chemical must meet most or all of the following criteria:
- it must be manufactured within a neuron
- it must be found in a neuron
- it must be released when a neuron is stimulated
- when it is released it must bind to a receptor and cause a biological change
- after release the chemical must become inactive
- when applied manually to post-synaptic membrane the chemical must have the same biological effect that it did when released from a neuron
Examples of Common Neurotransmitters
- Acetylcholine
- Serotonin
- Glutamate
- GABA