6.2: The process of synaptic transmission

Question 1

Information can only travel in one direction at a synapse.

Explain why neurons can only transmit information in one direction at a synapse (3 marks)

Answer 1

Neurons can only transmit information in one direction at a synapse, because the synaptic vesicles containing the neurotransmitter are only present on the presynaptic membrane

Question 2

Information can only travel in one direction at a synapse.

Explain why neurons can only transmit information in one direction at a synapse (3 marks).
Neurons can only transmit information in one direction at a synapse, because the synaptic vesicles containing the neurotransmitter are only present on the presynaptic membrane.
What are only present on the postsynaptic membrane?

Answer 2

The receptors for the neurotransmitters are only present on the postsynaptic membrane

Question 3

Information can only travel in one direction at a synapse.

Explain why neurons can only transmit information in one direction at a synapse (3 marks).
Neurons can only transmit information in one direction at a synapse, because the synaptic vesicles containing the neurotransmitter are only present on the presynaptic membrane.
The receptors for the neurotransmitters are only present on the postsynaptic membrane.
What is it that enables the signal to be transmitted on to the next neuron?

Answer 3

It is the binding of the neurotransmitter to the receptor that enables the signal to be transmitted on to the next neuron

Question 4

Information can only travel in one direction at a synapse.

Explain why neurons can only transmit information in one direction at a synapse (3 marks).
Neurons can only transmit information in one direction at a synapse, because the synaptic vesicles containing the neurotransmitter are only present on the presynaptic membrane.
The receptors for the neurotransmitters are only present on the postsynaptic membrane.
It is the binding of the neurotransmitter to the receptor that enables the signal to be transmitted on to the next neuron.
Diffusion of the neurotransmitters mean what?

Answer 4

Diffusion of the neurotransmitters mean that they can only go from high to low concentration

Question 5

Information can only travel in one direction at a synapse.

Explain why neurons can only transmit information in one direction at a synapse (3 marks).
Neurons can only transmit information in one direction at a synapse, because the synaptic vesicles containing the neurotransmitter are only present on the presynaptic membrane.
The receptors for the neurotransmitters are only present on the postsynaptic membrane.
It is the binding of the neurotransmitter to the receptor that enables the signal to be transmitted on to the next neuron.
Diffusion of the neurotransmitters mean that they can only go from high to low concentration, so what?

Answer 5

Diffusion of the neurotransmitters mean that they can only go from high to low concentration, so can only travel from the presynaptic to the postsynaptic membrane

Question 6

Raoul has recently been prescribed a drug for a mental illness. He looks on the internet to find out more about the drug but he does not understand the phrase ‘synaptic transmission.’

Write a brief explanation of synaptic transmission in the brain to help Raoul understand how his drug might work (3 marks)

Answer 6

Synaptic transmission involves impulses crossing a synapse between an axon terminal and the adjacent neuron

Question 7

Raoul has recently been prescribed a drug for a mental illness. He looks on the internet to find out more about the drug but he does not understand the phrase ‘synaptic transmission.’

Write a brief explanation of synaptic transmission in the brain to help Raoul understand how his drug might work (3 marks).
Synaptic transmission involves impulses crossing a synapse between an axon terminal and the adjacent neuron.

Answer 7

Neurotransmitters are chemicals released from vesicles on the presynaptic neuron from tiny sacs called synaptic vesicles

Question 8

Raoul has recently been prescribed a drug for a mental illness. He looks on the internet to find out more about the drug but he does not understand the phrase ‘synaptic transmission.’

Write a brief explanation of synaptic transmission in the brain to help Raoul understand how his drug might work (3 marks).
Synaptic transmission involves impulses crossing a synapse between an axon terminal and the adjacent neuron.
Neurotransmitters are chemicals released from vesicles on the presynaptic neuron from tiny sacs called synaptic vesicles.

Answer 8

Some neurotransmitters increase the rate of firing in the receiving neurons (excitatory) and others decrease the rate of firing (inhibitory)

Question 9

Raoul has recently been prescribed a drug for a mental illness. He looks on the internet to find out more about the drug but he does not understand the phrase ‘synaptic transmission.’

Write a brief explanation of synaptic transmission in the brain to help Raoul understand how his drug might work (3 marks).
Synaptic transmission involves impulses crossing a synapse between an axon terminal and the adjacent neuron.
Neurotransmitters are chemicals released from vesicles on the presynaptic neuron from tiny sacs called synaptic vesicles.
Some neurotransmitters increase the rate of firing in the receiving neurons (excitatory) and others decrease the rate of firing (inhibitory).

Answer 9

Psychoactive drugs work by increasing or decreasing the transmission of neurotransmitters across the synapse