Neurotransmission - Lock and Key Flashcards
What is a neurotransmitter?
Electrochemical messages sent through the body via neurons
The neuron that passes a neurotransmitter onto the next is called…
a pre-synaptic neuron
What is the neuron that receives neurotransmitters from another called?
A post-synaptic neuron
What is an excitatory neuron?
A synapse that increases the likelihood of of a neuron firing
What is an inhibitory neuron?
A synapse that reduces the likelihood of of a neuron firing
What is a synapse?
The connection or interaction between neurons
It’s very contextual
What is the Lock and Key process?
A process in which neurotransmitters will be released from the presynaptic neuron
they will travel through the synaptic gap to the post synaptic neurons receptor site
the neurotransmitters will bind with their corresponding receptor
they will only bind if they have the same molecular structure, further passing on the message
