synaptic transmission

Question 1

what is it

Answer 1

the synapse (axon terminal found at the end of a nerve cell) allows neurones to communicate by passing chemical messages- synaptic transmission

Question 2

what are the chemical messages released

Answer 2

neurotransmitters

Question 3

what can the neurotransmitters either be

Answer 3

excitatory (more likely/stimilate)
inhibitory (less likely)
the development of an action potential in other neuron

Question 4

process

Answer 4

1. action potential travels down axon
2. neurotransmitters released
3. signal passed to next neuron

Question 5

stage 1

Answer 5

action potential travel down axon of the presynaptic neurone forcing vesicles that contain neurotransmitters to merge with cell membrane

Question 6

stage 2

Answer 6

neurotransmitters then are released into the synaptic cleft
receptors on the postsynaptic neurones dendrite membrane detect the presence of neurotransmitters changing the chemistry in the postsynaptic neuron

Question 7

stage 3

Answer 7

if the charge inside the post synaptic neuron passes a threshold a new action potential forms and messaged passed on
neurotransmitters detach from receptors and return to presynaptic cell via transport proteins- reuptake

Question 8

excitation

Answer 8

excitatory neurotransmitters increase likelihood of new action potential forming in post synaptic cell
when detected by reception the electrical charge becomes positive and likely to fire- depolarisation

Question 9

inhibition

Answer 9

inhibitory neurotransmitters decrease the likelihood of a new action potential forming in the post synaptic cell
when detected by receptions in electrical charge becomes negative and less likely to fire- hyperpolarisation

Question 10

summation

Answer 10

combined effects of all inhib and exc influences resulting in a new action potential forming or not.

Question 11

unidirectional

Answer 11

info can only be passed between the pre and post neurons in 1 direction
due to the structure of the synapse such as the location of neuro transmitters (pre) and (post)