Problem:

Question 1: List the criteria that are used to determine whether a chemical serves as a neurotransmitter. What are the various experimental strategies you could use to show that ACh fulfills the criteria of a neurotransmitter at the neuromuscular junction?

Question 2: Compare and contrast the properties of (a) AMPA and NMDA receptors, and (b) GABA A and GABA B receptors.

Question 3: Glutamate activates a number of different metabotropic receptors. The consequence of activating one subtype is the inhibition of cAMP formation. A consequence of activating a second subtype is activation of protein kinase C. Propose mechanisms of these different effects.

Question 4: Ca2+ ions are considered to be second messengers. Why?

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