Neurons And Synaptic Transmission

Question 1

The actions of neurotransmitters at synapses can be :

Answer 1

Excitatory or Inhibitory

Question 2

Excitatory

Answer 2

• make a nerve impulse more likely to be triggered
• I.e. increasing the likelihood that an action potential will be generated
• e.g. dopamine

Question 3

Inhibitory

Answer 3

• make a nerve impulse less likely to be triggered
• I.e. reducing the likelihood that an action potential will be generated
• e.g. GABA

Question 4

Define synaptic transmission

Answer 4

• a method of neurones communicating with each other

Question 5

Define action potentials

Answer 5

• the basic units of information processing in the nervous system and control all aspect of human behaviour
• e.g. emotion, memory

Question 6

1st stage in synaptic transmission

Answer 6

• action potentials travel from the dendrites to the axon terminals

Question 7

2nd stage in synaptic transmission

Answer 7

• when an electrical signal reaches the axon terminals, molecules of neurotransmitters are released across the synaptic gap

Question 8

Stage 3 of synaptic transmission

Answer 8

• they then attach to post synaptic receptors on the adjacent neurone

Question 9

Final stage of synaptic transmission

Answer 9

• this will then trigger an electrical impulses in the adjacent cell

Question 10

Sensory neurones

Answer 10

Convey information about sensory stimuli : vision, touch, taste etc towards the brain

Question 11

Motor neurones

Answer 11

Convey instructions for physical operations

E.g. release of hormones from glands, muscle movement, digestion etc

Question 12

Relay neurones

Answer 12

Connect different parts of the cns