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Nematode Structure and Function (view source)
Revision as of 09:29, 5 August 2010
, 09:29, 5 August 2010no edit summary
The muscles involved in feeding respond to a range of [[Neurotransmitters - Anatomy & Physiology|neurotransmitters]] that can either be excitatory or inhibitory. The '''5-HT''' neurotransmitter, also known as serotonin, stimulates rhythmical contractions of pharyngeal muscles required to generate the pharyngeal pumping action. The prate of pumping in the pharynx is regulated by the neurotransmitter '''Acetylcholine''' (ACh). The pharyngeal muscles are inhibited by the actions of '''Glutamate''' and '''GABA''' which bind to post synaptic receptors and cause hyperpolarisation of the post synaptic membrane. The hyperpolarisation results in inhibition of the muscle actions as a greater stimulatory effect is required to overcome this and depolarise the cell.
The muscles involved in feeding respond to a range of [[Neurotransmitters - Anatomy & Physiology|neurotransmitters]] that can either be excitatory or inhibitory. The '''5-HT''' neurotransmitter, also known as serotonin, stimulates rhythmical contractions of pharyngeal muscles required to generate the pharyngeal pumping action. The prate of pumping in the pharynx is regulated by the neurotransmitter '''Acetylcholine''' (ACh). The pharyngeal muscles are inhibited by the actions of '''Glutamate''' and '''GABA''' which bind to post synaptic receptors and cause hyperpolarisation of the post synaptic membrane. The hyperpolarisation results in inhibition of the muscle actions as a greater stimulatory effect is required to overcome this and depolarise the cell.
In locomotion both inhibitory and excitatory neurones play an important role in contracting and relaxing muscles to allow sinusoidal movement. '''Acetylcholine''' is responsible for excitation of muscles, leading to contraction. Contraction of the ventral body wall muscles causes bending of a section of the nematode dorsally, to allow this the muscles on the dorsal wall opposite must be relaxed. Relaxation of body wall muscles is brought about by the release of '''GABA''' from the pre synaptic membrane, this prevent contraction and allows the body wall to bend. In this way the two neurotransmitters work as an antagonistic pair to bring about sinusoidal locomotion.
==Feeding and Digestion==
==Feeding and Digestion==