[04] Synaptic Transmission Flashcards
What is synaptic transmission?
The process of transferring signals from one neuron to another at a synapse
What are the main components involved in synaptic transmission?
- Presynaptic neuron
- Synapse
- Postsynaptic neuron
What is a presynaptic neuron?
The neuron that sends the signal
What is a synapse?
The small gap where the axon of one neuron can communicate with another neuron
What is a postsynaptic neuron?
The neuron that receives the signal
What are the steps of synaptic transmission?
- Action potential reaches the axon terminal
- Calcium ions enter the neuron
- Neurotransmitters are released into the synapse
- Neurotransmitters bind to receptors on the postsynaptic neuron
- Signal is transmitted to the postsynaptic neuron
What triggers the release of neurotransmitters?
The influx of calcium ions into the presynaptic neuron
What are neurotransmitters?
Chemicals that transmit signals from a neuron to a target cell across a synapse
How do neurotransmitters communicate the signal to the postsynaptic neuron?
They bind to specific receptors on the postsynaptic neuron
What happens to neurotransmitters after they have transmitted their signal?
They are either broken down by enzymes, taken back up into the presynaptic neuron for reuse, or diffuse out of the synapse
What are the two main types of synapses?
- Electrical synapses
- Chemical synapses
What is an electrical synapse?
A type of synapse in which the pre and postsynaptic neuron are connected via gap junctions, allowing electrical signals to pass directly
What is a chemical synapse?
A type of synapse where the signal is transmitted via chemical neurotransmitters
Which type of synapse is more common in the human nervous system?
Chemical synapses
What is synaptic plasticity?
The ability of synapses to strengthen or weaken over time in response to increases or decreases in their activity
