3. Synaptic Transmission Part 1 Flashcards
type of synapse where current flows directly from one cell to another through connexons
electrical synapse
type of synapse with secretion of a specific chemical by a nerve terminal and its interaction with specific postsynaptic receptors
chemical synapse
at an electrical synapse, the distance between pre and post synaptic cell membranes is:
~3.5nm
at electrical synapses, the agent of information transmission is:
ionic current
is there synaptic delay between electrical synapses?
no
is signal transmission unidirectional or bidirectional in electrical synapses?
usually bidirectional
at electrical synapses, there is _____ between the cells
cytoplasmic continuity
composed of 6 connexins and form the gap junction
connexon
gap junctions and connexons are more common during:
embryonic development
if current injection into either cell A or cell B results in the depolarization in both cells, the cells are:
electrically coupled
at chemical synapses, the distance between pre and post synaptic cell membranes is:
20-40nm
is there cytoplasmic continuity between cells at chemical synapses?
no
at chemical synapses, current flows via:
activation of receptors and the consequent opening of postsynaptic ion channels
at chemical synapses, the agent of information transmission is a:
chemical transmitter
is there synaptic delay at chemical synapses?
yes (~1-5ms)
is signal transmission unidirectional or bidirectional in chemical synapses?
unidirectional
many synapses occur on dendrites and dendritic spines, and these are usually:
excitatory synapses
some synapses occur on dendrites closer to the cell body, and on the cell body itself, these are usually:
inhibitory synapses
true or false: synapses occur randomly
false
where is the postsynaptic density found?
at both excitatory and inhibitory synapses
provides a structural matrix which clusters ion channels and anchors signalling molecules such as kinases and phosphatases
the post synaptic density (PSD)
the post-synaptic density is a general organizer of the:
postsynaptic signal transduction machinery
links regulatory molecules to their targets, and coordinates developmental and activity-dependent changes in postsynaptic structures
the postsynaptic density (PSD)
one of the earliest models to examine muscle function
neuromuscular junction (NMJ)