Intergration of Synaptic Potentials and Introduction to Neural Networks

Question 1

What are synaptic potentials?

Answer 1

they are the transmission of electrical potential from presynaptic nerve terminals to the postsynaptic neuronal dendrite

Question 2

What are the steps in the mechanism of synaptic potentials?

Answer 2

1) neurotransmitter remains in vesicle
2) neurotransmitter diffuses across synaptic cleft
3) neurotransmitters open voltage gated ion channels so Na+ diffuses down the concentration gradient causes depolarisation
4) synaptic potential declines as neurotransmitter molecules unbind
5) total decay of synaptic potential

Question 3

What does the amplitude of post synaptic potentials depend on?

Answer 3

amount of neurotransmitter released
number or receptors
state of receptors

Question 4

What does decay of post-synaptic potentials depend on?

Answer 4

Dissociation of ligand
diffusion and uptake
desensitisation
enzymatic destruction

Question 5

What are IPSP’s?

Answer 5

inhibitory postsynaptic potentials prevent somatic depolarisation and generation of action potential

Question 6

Stages on convergence of neuronal pathways?

Answer 6

1) Shock artefact
2) Synaptic delay
3) EPSP due to opening of ligand gated cation channels
4) action potential due to voltage gated Na+ channels
5) hyperpolarising after potential die to VG K+ channels
6) IPSP due to opening of ligand gated anion channels

Question 7

What is acuity?

Answer 7

acuity is the clearness and sharpness of a sensory function