Module 2

Question 1

What is a synapse?

Answer 1

The points of contact between neurons, where information passes between.

An impulse travelling through a synapse is slower than that going through an uninterrupted axon.

Question 2

What is a pre-synaptic membrane/cell?

Answer 2

A neuron that is outputting information.

Question 3

What is a post-synaptic membrane/cell?

Answer 3

A neuron that is recieving incoming information.

Question 4

What is a synaptic cleft?

Answer 4

The gap that separates the pre-synaptic and post-synaptic membranes.

Question 5

What is a chemical synapse?

Answer 5

Junction where messenger molucules are released when stimulated by the AP.

Question 6

What is a neuro-transmitter?

Answer 6

A chemical released by a neuron (@ pre-synaptic terminal)

Has either an inhibitory response or an excitatory response.

Question 7

What is the first step in chemical neurotransmission?

Answer 7

Synthesis; a NT is synthesized (and stored in the terminal/the vesticle along the axon)

NT that leak are broken down by enzymes.

Question 8

What is the second step in chemical neurotransmission?

Answer 8

Action Potential; it travels along the axon and causes vesticle to bind w/ pre-synaptic membrane (due to the opening of calcium channels).

Question 9

What is the third step in chemical neurotransmission?

Answer 9

Exocytosis; NT is brought to the pre-synaptic membrane, and is released into synaptic cleft - via diffusion, it reaches the post-synaptic membrane.

Question 10

What is the fourth step in chemical neurotransmission?

Answer 10

Separation; once released into the synaptic cleft, the NT is able to activate the receptors on the post-synaptic membrane, and then separate from the receptor.

Question 11

What is the fifth step in chemical neurotransmission?

Answer 11

Deactivation; the NT must be turned off (either by diffusion, deactivating enzymes, or by reuptake - either by glia or pre-synaptic cell)

Question 12

What is the first step in resetting the synapse?

Answer 12

Diffusion away from synaptic cleft - floats away from synapse

Question 13

What is the second step in resetting the synapse?

Answer 13

Degredation by enzymes in synaptic cleft.

Question 14

What is the third step in resetting the synapse?

Answer 14

Re-uptake into the pre-synaptic axon terminal by transporters.

Once in the terminal, they can be repackaged for re-use.

Question 15

What is the last step in resetting the synapse?

Answer 15

It’s taken up by glial cells.

Question 16

What are autoreceptors?

Answer 16

Receptors that detect the sum of transmitters; they inhibit further synthesis and release.

Question 17

What are ionic receptors?

Answer 17

Receptors that, when NT attach, their channels (sodium, potassium, etc) and immediately open.

Question 18

What is a metabolic receptor?

Answer 18

A receptor dependant on GTP (an energy storing molecule) that communicates to other areas of the cell.

Question 19

What are the two ways NT are synthesized and stored?

Answer 19

1. Axon terminal; “building blocks” from food are pumped into cell via transporters
2. idk man