3.6.2.2 Synaptic Transmission Flashcards
What is a synapse?
The junctions between two neighbouring neurones or a neurone and an effector
What is the process of a synapse?
The action potential causes Ca2+ channels to open in the presynaptic ending (voltage gated)
The influx of calcium causes the synaptic vesicles to fuse with the presynaptic membrane (exocytosis)
Acetylcholine neurotransmitter diffuses across the cleft and binds to receptors
This causes sodium channels to open which may initiate an action potential if a threshold depolarisation is achieved
What does acetylcholinerase do?
It hydrolyses the neurotransmitter acetylcholine
The products are used to resynthesise Ach using acetyl coenzyme A from the mitochondria
This prevents the channels from being constantly open
This inhibits the impulse
