Role of synpases

Question 1

What are the roles of synapses?

Answer 1

• Temporal lobe and spatial summation
• convergence and divergence
• permits memory formation and learning
• Ensures the action potential only moves in one direction
• ensures that low level stimuli will not be passed on
• Habituation and fatigue

Question 2

What is convergence?

Answer 2

• Many inputs moving in to one output

Question 3

What is divergent?

Answer 3

• one input into many

Question 4

What is summation?

Answer 4

• adding together

Question 5

What is spatial summation?

Answer 5

• where several presynaptic build up enough depolarisation to reach threshold potential

Question 6

What is Temporal summation?

Answer 6

• Where one presynaptic neurone has frequent action potentials that cause depolarisation to build up enough to reach threshold potential.

Question 7

What is memory formation?

Answer 7

• synapses allow connections to be made between neurones
• This allow for memories to form and learning to take place
• Neurones show plasticity - they can make and break synpases quickly over time

Question 8

What is habitation and fatigue?

Answer 8

• If an action potential is continously sent across the synpase, eventually the presynaptic neurone runs out of the ACH.
• This means the action potential stops being sent.