proccess of synaptic transmission

Question 1

What are neurotransmitters?

Answer 1

• chemical messengers within the brain
• role to transmit info from one neuron to another
• so person performs action
• have an effect on next neuron - excitatory or inhibitory

Question 2

Process of synaptic transmission - BEGINNING

Answer 2

1. begins in presynaptic neuron - action potentials (electrical nerve impulses) sent down axon - until reach presynaptic terminal

Question 3

Process of synaptic transmission - MIDDLE

Answer 3

2. causes neurotransmitters - stored in vesicles - only located in presynaptic neuron - be released into synaptic cleft
3. neurotransmitters diffuse across synapse - from high to low concentration - bind with specific receptor sites - only present on post synaptic neuron

Question 4

Process of synaptic transmission - END

Answer 4

4. once enough neurotransmitters attached - to receptor sites - two possible outcomes:
   - next neuron ready to fire impulse - depending on whether neurotransmitter excitatory or inhibitory effect
   - neurotransmitters recycled - stored back in vesicles - in presynaptic neuron - process called reuptake

Question 5

Effect of drugs on the levels of neurotransmitters

Answer 5

• used to increase or decrease levels of neurotransmitters
• affect transmission of neurotransmitters across synapse

Question 6

Excitatory neurotransmitter

Answer 6

• e.g. adrenaline
• excitatory neurotransmitters bind to post synaptic receptors
• post synaptic cell becomes positively charged
• more likely post synaptic cell will fire
• impulse will travel down axon
• increases brain activity in CNS

Question 7

Inhibitory neurotransmitter

Answer 7

• e.g. serotonin
• inhibitory neurotransmitters bind to post synaptic receptors
• post synaptic cell becomes negatively charged
• prevents/reduces likelihood post synaptic cell will fire
• decreases brain activity in CNS

Question 8

Summation

Answer 8

• excitatory and inhibitory influences added together
• if overall effect mainly negative/inhibitory reduces likelihood neuron will fire down post synaptic neuron
• if overall effect mainly excitatory/positive impulse will fire down post synaptic neuron