View Full Version : question about neurotransmitters


wannabdoc1
08-11-2005, 09:07 PM
Can someone help me with neurotransmitters?

Acetylcholine is released at the neuromuscular junction of the autonomic NS right?

Norepinephrine is the neurotransmitter between neurons of the sympathetic NS. Is Norepinephrine also released in the neuromuscular junction of smooth muscles when they are innervated by the sympathetic NS?

Acetylcholine is the neurotransmitter in parasympathetic NS and released in neuromuscular junction of smooth muscles when innervated by parasympathetic NS?

sanche60
08-11-2005, 09:29 PM
norepinephrine is used by the sympathetic nervous system to cause vasoconstriction (smooth muscle). I believe it acts on alpha-1 receptors but not sure. I think acetylcholine is used on smooth muscle as well but not sure about that. I know it is used by the parasympathetic system on cardiac muscle.

wannabdoc1
08-11-2005, 09:52 PM
thanks sanche. So like I thought technically both acetylcholine and norepinephrine can be neurotransmitters at the neuromuscular junction. It just depends on which muscle we are talking about and if its para- or sympathetic NS. Also, acetylcholine is the more common one to say when we are asked which neurotransmitter is in the neuromuscular junctions right?

NilamPatel
08-11-2005, 10:02 PM
both are used on smooth and cardiac...

Fusion
08-12-2005, 12:39 AM
Definitely be familiar with epinephrine and norepinephrine, their similarities and differences (i.e., which is a neurotransmitter, which is a hormone, etc...actually, I believe that they both can act as neurotransmitters AND hormones, but don't hold me to it - look it up).

totalcommand
08-12-2005, 05:42 AM
I'm pretty sure acetylcholine is used between the pro and post ganglionic membranes of both the sympathetic and parasympathetic systems.

The difference is that Adrenergic (epi/norepi) receptors are used between the post ganglionic membrane and the motor effector of the sympathetic, while in the parasympathetic it is acetyl./cholinergic.

I'm pretty sure that the motor effector of the sympathetic is the only place (that we need to know) that epi & adrenergic receptors are used as neurotransmitter.

jmnykrkts
08-12-2005, 07:04 AM
I'm pretty sure acetylcholine is used between the pro and post ganglionic membranes of both the sympathetic and parasympathetic systems.

The difference is that Adrenergic (epi/norepi) receptors are used between the post ganglionic membrane and the motor effector of the sympathetic, while in the parasympathetic it is acetyl./cholinergic.

I'm pretty sure that the motor effector of the sympathetic is the only place (that we need to know) that epi & adrenergic receptors are used as neurotransmitter.

Yep, I believe this is right. The first BS passage on AAMC 4R outlines this pretty nicely. ACh is used in parasymp AND symp NS. However, it is only used at the neuromuscular junction in the parasympathetic system, while NE is used at the neuromuscular junction of the sympathetic NS.