neurons and synaptic transmission

Question 1

sensory neuron

Answer 1

• carry nerve impulses from sensory receptors to the spinal cord and the brain

Question 2

relay neuron

Answer 2

• allows the sensory and motor neurons to communicate with each other
• exist solely in the brain and spinal cord

Question 3

motor neuron

Answer 3

• they connect the central nervous system, to effectors such a muscles and glands

Question 4

action potential

Answer 4

when information is passed down the axon of the neuron as an electrical impulse

Question 5

synaptic vesicle

Answer 5

• contain chemical messengers (neurotransmitters)

Question 6

neurotransmitter

Answer 6

• carry signals across the synaptic cleft
• bind to receptor sites on the post-synaptic cell

Question 7

inhibition

Answer 7

neuron becomes more negatively charged and less likely to fire

Question 8

excitation

Answer 8

neuron becomes more positively charged and is more likely to fire

Question 9

summation

Answer 9

determines how frequently the neuron will fire by the combined effects of excitatory and inhibitory signals

Question 10

what % of neurons are located in the brain

Answer 10

80%

Question 11

how are sensory neurons adapted for their function

Answer 11

long dendrites and axon

Question 12

how are relay neurons adapted for their function

Answer 12

short dendrites
short axons

Question 13

how are motor neurons adapted for their function

Answer 13

short dendrites
long axons

Question 14

synaptic transmission

Answer 14

process where neighboring neurons communicate with each other through chemical ,messages across the synaptic cleft

Question 15

Process of synaptic transmission

Answer 15

An electrical signal travels down the length of the axon to the axon terminal of the
pre synaptic neuron via action potential.

The electrical signal triggers the release of neurotransmitters from the synaptic
vesicles.

The neurotransmitters diffuse across the synapse as a chemical signal. They then
bind to the post synaptic neuron to neurotransmitter specific receptor sites.

The signal is converted back into an electrical signal. Whether or not the
post-synaptic neuron fires is based on the exploratory of the neurotransmitter.

If the neurotransmitter is excitatory, the post synaptic neuron will become
positively charged and more likely to fire. If it is inhibitory, the post synaptic
neuron will become negatively charged and is less likely to fire.

The postsynaptic neuron will fire or not fire after a process of summation occurs. If
more excitatory neurotransmitter act upon the neuron it is more likely to fire. If
the net effect is inhibitory, it is less likely to fire.