Chapter 2.2, Problem 8EIQ

Summary Introduction

Introduction:

At metabotropic synapses, a neurotransmitter initiates a second messenger within the postsynaptic neuron by initiating a sequence of metabolic reaction, leading to slower but last longer than ionotropic synapses.

During this process, a neurotransmitter attaches to a metabotropic receptor and it bends the receptor protein. On the other side, the receptor bending releases the G protein that activates a second messenger within the cell. As like the first messenger brings information to the postsynaptic cell, the second messenger gives information to areas within the cell.

The second messenger involved in the activation of open or close ion channels in the membrane or turns on a gene in the nucleus. With the help of the second messenger, metabotropic synapse influences the activity in all the cell over a longer lasting time.