Discuss The Events That. Occur At A Chemical Synapse Flashcards
What is the purpose of a chemical synapse?
A chemical. Synapse allows the release and reception of chemical neurotransmitters.
What are the two main parts of a chemical synapses?
- Axon Terminal which is a knob like structure of the presynaptic neuron.
What does the axon terminal contain?
They contain many synaptic vesicles which are small membrane sacs holding thousands of neurotransmitter molecules.
What does a post synaptic neuron membrane contain?
They contain neurotransmitter receptors.
Where is the post synaptic neuron membrane located?
It is normally located around the cell body (soma) or the dendrites.
Describe the synaptic cleft?
The synaptic cleft is fluid filled and separates the presynaptic and postsynaptic membranes.
What happens to the electrical current in the synaptic cleft?
The electrical current dissipates in this space.
What does the cleft prevent?
The synaptic cleft prevents transmission direct to the neurons. transmission therefore occurs via chemical events that are based on release, diffusion, receptors and binding of neurotransmitter molecules.
What type of communication occurs between neurons?
Neurons have unidirectional communication between them.
