Ch. 2 -Synapse

Question 1

What evidence led Charles Sherrington to conclude that transmission at a synapse is not the same as transmission along an axon?

Answer 1

He forund that the velocity of conduction through a reflex arc was slower than the velocity of an action potential along an axon. Therefore, some delay must occur at the junction between one neuron and
the next

Question 2

The difference between temporal summation and
spatial summation?

Answer 2

Temporal summation is the combined effect of quickly repeated stimulation at a single synapse. Spatial summation is the combined effect of several nearly simultaneous stimulations at several synapses onto one neuron

Question 3

What was Sherrington’s evidence for inhibition in the nervous system?

Answer 3

He found that a reflex that stimulates a flexor muscle prevents contraction of the extensor muscles
of the same limb. He therefore inferred that an inter- neuron that excited motor neurons connected to the flexor muscle also inhibited the input to the extensor muscle.

Question 4

What ion gates in the membrane open during an EPSP? What gates open during an IPSP?

Answer 4

During an EPSP, sodium gates open. During an IPSP, potassium or chloride gates open.

Question 5

Can an inhibitory message flow along an axon?

Answer 5

No.

Only action potentials propagate along an axon. Inhibitory messages IPSPs decay over time and distance.

Question 6

Hva er en synapse

Answer 6

The point of communication between two neurons

Question 7

In the membrane of a neuron, what happens during an IPSP?

Answer 7

The potassium or chloride gates open

Question 8

In what way were Sherrington’s conclusions important for psychology as well as neuroscience

Answer 8

He demonstrated the importance of inhibition