Synapses

Question 1

What is synapses

Answer 1

a specialized synapse between 2 neurons or a neuron and a muscle
important for the passage of neuronal signals to target tissues.

Question 2

What are the 3 regions that are part of synapse

Answer 2

presynaptic side
synaptic cleft
postsynaptic side

Question 3

explain and memorize the structure of synapse and the 3 regions

Answer 3

Question 4

what are the 2 types of synapse

Answer 4

electrical and chemical

Question 5

explain electrical synapse

Answer 5

ionic current flows directly across the synaptic cleft
not common in animals

Question 6

explain chemical synapse

Answer 6

a chemical messenger flows across the synaptic cleft
we call these chemical messengers neurotransmitters

Question 7

What are the 6 major classes of neurotransmitters

Answer 7

amino acid
peptides
amines
opioids
catecholamines
purines

Question 8

what is the most important neurotransmitter

Answer 8

acetyl/choline

Question 9

What are the 4 methods of clearing neurotransmitters from the synaptic cleft

Answer 9

enzymatic digestion
diffuse away
reuptake by the presynaptic neuron
uptake by nearby astrocytes (which are support cells)