Anatomy of a synapse Flashcards
What did Santiago Ramon y Cajal do?
He made drawings looking at the nervous system. He drew neurons, cell bodies, axons, and astrocytes. He also came up with the idea of synapses
Desribe the structure of a typical neuron
a typical neuron has soma (cell body) this is where the nucleus is located. Nerve fibers that are capable of rapidly conducting impulses away from the cell body
describe the soma
The bulbous end of a neuron, contaning the cell nucleus
Describe an axon
nerve fibers that are capable of rapidly conducting impulses away fro the neuron cell body.
Describe dentrites
A long, branch outgrowth or extension from a neuron that carries electrical signals from synapses to the cell body.
what is the presynaptic terminal?
A specialized area within the axon of the presynaptic cell that contians neurotransmitters enclosed in synaptic vesicles.
How does communication between neurons occur?
Communication between neurons occurs at the synapses. Synapses are specialized junctions. Excitatory messages cause the next cell to “fire” - and continue to carry the action potential.
What are the types of synpases?
Electrical and chemical synapses
Describe electrical synapses
Electrical transmission is mediated between neurons by clusters of intercellular channels called gap junctions. They see very rapid transmission. Electrical synapses are bidirectional as the current can flow between two neurons at these electrical synapses.
Describe Chemical synapses
• More common in the NS.
Synpatic vesicle cycle
• We have synaptic vesicles that have to be docked at active zones; this docking requires a number of proteins
Proteins are important for _______________________________________
Synaptic Vesicle cycles
Describe neurotransmitters
• Chemical messengers that transmit info between neurons
Glia ________around the cell
wraps
What are the different types of glia ?
Astrocytes