6.2: The process of synaptic transmission Flashcards
Synaptic transmission
Synaptic transmission is the process by which neighbouring neurons communicate with each other by sending chemical messages across the gap (the synaptic cleft) that separates them
Electron transmission - the firing of a neuron:
When a neuron is in a resting state, what?
When a neuron is in a resting state, the inside of the cell is negatively charged compared to the outside of the cell
Electron transmission - the firing of a neuron:
When a neuron is in a resting state, the inside of the cell is negatively charged compared to the outside of the cell.
What happens when a neuron is activated by a stimulus?
When a neuron is activated by a stimulus, the inside of the cell becomes positively charged for a split second
Electron transmission - the firing of a neuron:
When a neuron is in a resting state, the inside of the cell is negatively charged compared to the outside of the cell.
When a neuron is activated by a stimulus, the inside of the cell becomes positively charged for a split second, causing what?
When a neuron is activated by a stimulus, the inside of the cell becomes positively charged for a split second, causing an action potential to occur
Electron transmission - the firing of a neuron:
When a neuron is in a resting state, the inside of the cell is negatively charged compared to the outside of the cell.
When a neuron is activated by a stimulus, the inside of the cell becomes positively charged for a split second, causing an action potential to occur.
What does this do?
This creates an electrical impulse that travels down the axon towards the end of the neuron
How do neurons communicate with each other?
Neurons communicate with each other within groups
Neurons communicate with each other within groups known as what?
Neurons communicate with each other within groups known as neural networks
Neurons communicate with each other within groups known as neural networks.
Each neuron is what from the next neuron by a tiny gap called the synapse?
Each neuron is separated from the next neuron by a tiny gap called the synapse
Neurons communicate with each other within groups known as neural networks.
Each neuron is separated from the next neuron by a tiny gap called the synapse.
Which signals are transmitted electrically?
Signals within neurons are transmitted electrically
Neurons communicate with each other within groups known as neural networks.
Each neuron is separated from the next neuron by a tiny gap called the synapse.
Signals within neurons are transmitted electrically.
However, what?
However, signals between neurons are transmitted chemically
Neurons communicate with each other within groups known as neural networks.
Each neuron is separated from the next neuron by a tiny gap called the synapse.
Signals within neurons are transmitted electrically.
However, signals between neurons are transmitted chemically where?
However, signals between neurons are transmitted chemically across the synapse
Neurons communicate with each other within groups known as neural networks.
Each neuron is separated from the next neuron by a tiny gap called the synapse.
Signals within neurons are transmitted electrically.
However, signals between neurons are transmitted chemically across the synapse.
When the electrical impulse reaches the end of the neuron (the what)?
When the electrical impulse reaches the end of the neuron (the presynaptic terminal)
Neurons communicate with each other within groups known as neural networks.
Each neuron is separated from the next neuron by a tiny gap called the synapse.
Signals within neurons are transmitted electrically.
However, signals between neurons are transmitted chemically across the synapse.
When the electrical impulse reaches the end of the neuron (the presynaptic terminal), what happens?
When the electrical impulse reaches the end of the neuron (the presynaptic terminal), it triggers the release of neurotransmitter
Neurons communicate with each other within groups known as neural networks.
Each neuron is separated from the next neuron by a tiny gap called the synapse.
Signals within neurons are transmitted electrically.
However, signals between neurons are transmitted chemically across the synapse.
When the electrical impulse reaches the end of the neuron (the presynaptic terminal), it triggers the release of neurotransmitter from what?
When the electrical impulse reaches the end of the neuron (the presynaptic terminal), it triggers the release of neurotransmitter from tiny sacs
Neurons communicate with each other within groups known as neural networks.
Each neuron is separated from the next neuron by a tiny gap called the synapse.
Signals within neurons are transmitted electrically.
However, signals between neurons are transmitted chemically across the synapse.
When the electrical impulse reaches the end of the neuron (the presynaptic terminal), it triggers the release of neurotransmitter from tiny sacs called what?
When the electrical impulse reaches the end of the neuron (the presynaptic terminal), it triggers the release of neurotransmitter from tiny sacs called synaptic vesicles
Neurotransmitters
Neurotransmitters are brain chemicals released from synaptic vesicles that relay signals across the synapse from one neuron to another
Neurotransmitters are brain chemicals released from synaptic vesicles that relay signals across the synapse from one neuron to another.
What can neurotransmitters be broadly divided into?
Neurotransmitters can be broadly divided into:
- Those that perform an excitatory function
- Those that perform an inhibitory function
Neurotransmitters are brain chemicals released from synaptic vesicles that relay signals across the synapse from one neuron to another.
Neurotransmitters can be broadly divided into those that perform an excitatory function and those that perform an inhibitory function.
What happens once the neurotransmitter crosses the gap?
Once the neurotransmitter crosses the gap, it is taken up by the postsynaptic receptor site
Neurotransmitters are brain chemicals released from synaptic vesicles that relay signals across the synapse from one neuron to another.
Neurotransmitters can be broadly divided into those that perform an excitatory function and those that perform an inhibitory function.
Once the neurotransmitter crosses the gap, it is taken up by the postsynaptic receptor site, the what?
Once the neurotransmitter crosses the gap, it is taken up by the postsynaptic receptor site, the dendrites of the next neuron