synaptic transmission

Question 1

what’re the 5 stages of synaptic transmission

Answer 1

1 Action potential
2 Neurotransmitters release from vesicles
3 neurotransmitters cross the synaptic gap
4 neurotransmitters bind to the post-synaptic receptor sites
5 post-synaptic receptor converts the chemical message into action potential (electric) which fires - process repeats

Question 2

what’re neurotransmitters

Answer 2

chemicals messengers. similar to lock and key with their own specific molecular structure/shape

Question 3

what’re key neurotransmitter examples and their functions

Answer 3

ACH (causes muscles to contract)
Serotonin (causes calmness/happiness)
Adrenaline (speeds up stress response)

Question 4

what is excitation and example

Answer 4

when neurotransmitter messages make it more likely that receiving neurons will themselves ‘fire’ in action potential. e.g. dopamine or adrenaline

Question 5

what is inhibition and example

Answer 5

when neurotransmitter messages make it less likely that receiving neurons will ‘fire’ an action potential.
e.g. serotonin

Question 6

what is summation

Answer 6

a neuron ‘integrates’ (adds up) the excitatory/inhibitory inputs from other neurons - resulting in an all-or-nothing effect: if excitatory impulses > inhibitory impulses then the neuron will fire, vice versa