Synaptic transmission

Question 1

what is the first step of synaptic transmission ?

Answer 1

an action potential travels down the axon to the pre synaptic nerve ending to vesicles which contain neurotransmitters

Question 2

what is the second step of synaptic transmission ?

Answer 2

the vesicles fuse with the pre synaptic nerve ending and release the neurotransmitters into the synaptic cleft through a process called exocytosis

Question 3

what is the third step of synaptic transmission ?

Answer 3

neurotransmitters diffuse across the synaptic cleft and bind to receptors on the post synaptic nerve ending

Question 4

what is the fourth step of synaptic transmission if the neurotransmitter is excitory ?

Answer 4

bind to create a EPSP. This will increase the likelihood that the post synaptic neuron will create a new electrical impulse .

Question 5

what is the fourth step if the neurotransmitter is inhibitory ?

Answer 5

bind to create a IPSP that decreases the likelihood that a post synaptic neuron will create a new electrical impulse .

Question 6

what is the 5th step of synaptic transmission ?

Answer 6

excess neurotransmitters are taken up by the pre synaptic nerve ending (re-uptake)

Question 7

what is the 6th step of synaptic transmission ?

Answer 7

enzymes are released to break down the remaining neurotransmitters

Question 8

what is the 7th step of synaptic transmission ?

Answer 8

vesicles in the pre synaptic neuron are replenished with new and reused neurotransmitter ready for the next message

Question 9

give three example of excitatory neurotransmitters and what they do ?

Answer 9

glutamate -important in learning and memory

norepinephrine-fight or flight

dopamine -gives feeling of pleasure , motivation and satisfaction and plays an important role in sleep

Question 10

give three examples of inhibitory neurotransmitters and what they do ?

Answer 10

GABA- producing a calming effect

Serotonin - regulates mood

Dopamine- motivation and satisfaction and plays an important role in sleep

Question 11

how do inhibitory and excretory neurotransmitters increase /decrease the likelihood of a active potential ?

Answer 11

change the electrical charge in the membrane of the post synaptic cell .

Question 12

how does a post synaptic cell decide if its pos or neg ?

Answer 12

summation -add up IPSP and EPSP and see which is more