Synaptic Transmisson

Question 1

Explain the 5 parts of how information flows through a Neuron (nerve cell) and connects to another Neuron?

Answer 1

1. Dendrites: Receives signals (input) from other neurons
2. Cell body: Processes these signals and decides whether to pass them along
3. Axon: Carries the signal away from the cell body towards the end of the neuron
4. Axon Terminal (Terminal Bouton): This is where the neuron connects to the next neuron at a tiny gap called the synaptic cleft
5. Synapse: This is where the signal is passed from one neuron to another

Question 2

What is the key part to remember about the synaptic transmission

Answer 2

Always starts from the dendrites to the Synapse

Question 3

What is the key components of Synapsing?

Answer 3

1. The neuron sending the message (called the presynaptic neuron) releases chemical messengers (neurotransmitters) from its axon terminal.

2.These neurotransmitters travel across a small gap, known as the synaptic cleft, to reach the next neuron (the postsynaptic neuron).

3.The neurotransmitters bind to receptors on the postsynaptic neuron, which can then trigger a response, either sending the signal onward or stopping it.

Question 4

Why is synapsing essential?

Answer 4

Synapsing is essential for neurons to communicate, allowing the brain and nervous system to process and relay information throughout the body.

Question 5

What is the pathophysiology of this process?

Answer 5

In pathophysiology (the study of how diseases affect the body), any issue in this process—like damage to the axon or issues with the synapse—can disrupt communication between neurons, leading to neurological problems. For example, diseases like multiple sclerosis affect the myelin sheath around the axon, slowing down or stopping signal transmission.

Question 6

What is the Myelin Sheath?

Answer 6

• Insulates the neurons
• Allows for faster movement of the action potentials
• Does this by allowing the action potentials to ‘jump’ down the axon (ions only need to move across the membrane at the gaps between each piece of myelin, rather than along the whole neuron)

Question 7

What are the 4 components of the Synapse?

Answer 7

1. Presynaptic Axon Terminal
2. Terminal bouton (BLOB)
3. Synaptic cleft
4. Postsynaptic dendrite