Development

Question 1

CNS synpase formation

Answer 1

no receptors expressed on the postsynaptic cell at the beginning because there are so many synpases with different receptors in the brain. contact between filopodium and postsynaptic cell initiates presynaptic activity (SNARE, V-gated channels) to arrive. contact molecules tell cell what kind of post synapse to make. release of NT increases the number of receptors at the synapse.

Question 2

NMJ synapse formation

Answer 2

Simpler synapses in periphery. AChRs expressed on the muslce. neuron arrives. AChRs clustrered under the neuron (agrin, released by neuron, causes receptor clustering)

Question 3

specificity of synapse formation

Answer 3

unspecific at first but development creates distinct layers

Question 4

cell death

Answer 4

a limited supply of neurotrophic factors results in cell death (apoptosis) for some neurons

Question 5

synaptic rearrangement

Answer 5

activity-dependent process whereby the more active inputs have more synaptic contacts. plasticity. if target cell is getting more syncronized activation from one neuron, that neuron’s connections will increase and get stronger.

Question 6

monocular deprivation

Answer 6

results in an ocular dominance shift, there is a critical period during which synaptic rearrangement can occur