Which types of ion channels are found on the nerve cell membranes?

Voltage gated channel
Ligand gated channel

Name 3 differences between voltage-gated and ligand-gated ion channels

Voltage gated channels open and close in response to a change in membrane potential whereas ligand gated channels open and close in response to the binding of neurotransmitters.
Voltage gated channels are commonly found on the axons of nerve cells, cell bodies, axon terminals and dendrites. Ligand gated channels are found on both presynaptic and postsynaptic sides of the synapse.
Voltage gated channels have longer lasting effects while ligand gated effects occur rapidly and are of short duration

Compare ionotropic and metabotropic receptors

Ionotropic	Metabotropic
Consist of multiple subunits	Consists of 7 transmembrane G-protein-coupled receptors
Binding of neurotransmitter ligand directly opens channel	Binding of neurotransmitter does not directly open channel, but rather activates production of second messengers that mediate intracellular cascades
Activation of channel results in brief (milliseconds to tens of milliseconds) opening	Effect of metabotropic receptor activation can last tens of seconds up to minutes
Responsible for fast synaptic transmission such as hierarchical pathway in central nervous system	Predominate in diffuse neuronal systems in central nervous system
Channels are insensitive to membrane potential	Activation of these receptors lead to regulation of voltage-gated ion channels

Classify the CNS receptors into ionotropic and metabotropic and know the transduction mechanism of each receptor

Ionotropic receptors

GABAᴀ receptors with gamma aminobutyric acid as a neurotransmitter
Nicotinic receptors with acetylcholine as a neurotransmitter
EAA receptors with glutamate as a neurotransmitter
5-HT₃ receptors with serotonin as a neurotransmitter

Metabotropic receptors

7-Transmembrane G-protein-coupled receptors which upon the binding of neurotransmitter, release 2nd-messengers. These receptors follow one of 2 transduction systems;

Adenyl Cyclase System

Beta (1 & 2)
Dopamine (1 & 2)
Alpha (2)
Serotonin (5-HT1 A & B)
Muscarinic (M2 & M4)
Glutamate (mGlu1)

Phospholipase C system

Alpha (1)
Serotonin (5-HT2)
Muscarinic (M1, M3, M5)
Histamine (H1)
Glutamate (mGlu8)

Explain the difference between an EPSP and an IPSP and give examples of each

EPSP – excitatory post synaptic potential

When the excitatory pathway is stimulated, a small depolarization is recorded owing to the excitatory transmitter acting on the ionotropic receptor causing an increase in cation permeability. When sufficient excitatory synapses are activated, the excitatory postsynaptic potential depolarizes the postsynaptic cell to the threshold leading to an all-or-none action potential.

For example, the sudden inward flow of Na⁺ into the cell, causing the cell to become more positive and generate an action potential.

IPSP – inhibitory post synaptic potential

When the inhibitory pathway is stimulated, the postsynaptic membrane is hyperpolarized owing to selective opening of chloride channels.

For example, the opening of chloride channels allowing Clˉ to flow into the cell, making it more negative inside the cell

What is the role of calcium in the development of a synaptic potential?

The calcium rushes into the terminal and then causes the fusion of the synaptic vesicles containing neurotransmitters with the membrane of the pre-synapse. The vesicles release the neurotransmitters into the synaptic cleft and they diffuse to the receptors found on the post-synaptic membrane.