Organisms Respond to Changes in their Internal and External Environments: Nervous Coordination - Synaptic Transmission, Structure of Synapse & Neuromuscular Junction Flashcards
1
Q
Define the term synapse
A
- Junctions between two neurones
- Or between a neurone and an effector cell, e.g a muscle/gland cell
2
Q
Define the term neuromuscular junction
A
- Synapse between a neurone and a muscle cell
3
Q
List the different structural features of synapses
A
- Synaptic knob
- Synaptic vesicles
- Presynaptic membrane
- Synaptic cleft
- Post synaptic membrane
- Receptors
- Neurone or effector cell
4
Q
What is a synaptic knob?
A
- Swollen end of the presynaptic neurone
5
Q
What are synaptic vesicles?
A
- Secretory vesicles located in the presynaptic neurone
- Store neurotransmitters
- Upon fusion with the presynaptic membrane, their contents are released into the synaptic cleft
6
Q
What is a presynaptic membrane?
A
- Membrane of the first neurone
7
Q
What is a synaptic cleft?
A
- Gap between adjacent neurones / neurone and an effector cell
8
Q
What is a postsynaptic membrane?
A
- Membrane of second neurone / effector cell
9
Q
What is a cholinergic synapse?
A
- A synapse that uses acetylcholine (ACh)
10
Q
What is acetylcholine?
A
- Type of neurotransmitter
