neurons and synaptic transmission 2

Question 1

how does the firing of a neuron happen?

Answer 1

1. neuron resting = negatively charged
2. neuron activated by a stimulus = positively charged = causing the action to occur
3. creates an electrical impulse that travels down the axon towards the end of the neuron

Question 2

how do synaptic transmissions occur

Answer 2

the process by which neighboring neurons communicate with each other by sending chemical messages across the gap that separates

Question 3

what happens when the electrical impulse reaches the end of the neuron?

Answer 3

triggers the release of neurotransmitters from tiny sacs called synaptic vessels

Question 4

define neurotransmitter

Answer 4

• chemicals that diffuse across the synapse to the next neuron
• each one has its own structure

Question 5

what happens when the neurotransmitter crosses the gap?

Answer 5

the neurotransmitter is then received by the dendrites of the next neuron

Question 6

define excitation

Answer 6

adrenaline causes excitation

• increasing its positive charge and making it more likely to fire and pass on the electrical impulse

Question 7

define inhibition

Answer 7

serotonin causes inhibition

• becomes more negatively charged and less likely to fire