Biological Psychology - SYNAPTIC TRANSMISSION

Question 1

What is synaptic transmission?

Answer 1

It is the process where neurotransmitters are released by one neuron, travel across the synapse and are taken up by another neuron.

Question 2

What is the first step of synaptic transmission?

Answer 2

1] The first step is an action potential - where an electrical impulse travels along the axon to the axon terminals on the pre-synaptic neuron.

Question 3

What is the second step of synaptic transmission?

Answer 3

2] The axon terminals release neurotransmitter molecules, from vesicles, into the synapse.

Question 4

What is the third step of synaptic transmission?

Answer 4

3] The neurotransmitter travels across the synapse towards the dendrite of the post-synaptic neuron.

Question 5

What is the fourth step of synaptic transmission?

Answer 5

4] The neurotransmitter is absorbed by receptors on the dendrites of the post-synaptic neuron.

Question 6

What is the fifth step of synaptic transmission?

Answer 6

5] This may trigger an action potential in post-synaptic neuron and the process repeats. Some neurotransmitter is re-absorbed by the pre-synaptic neuron, some will stay in the synapse and carry on passing its messages.

Question 7

What is action potential?

Answer 7

Action potential is the process where an electrical impulse is triggered by the change in electrical potential of the neuron, causing release of a neurotransmitter.