SLE1/MODULE 3- Synaptic Transmission Flashcards
what is sodium’s equilibrium potential
typically around +55 mV
synapse
before AP initiates + propagates, a cell receives current inputs to change the membrane potential (Vm)
what occurs at a synapse
a specialized connection enabling a change in membrane potential (Vm) in one cell to be transmitted to another
-presynaptic cell -> postsynaptic cell
2 types of neurons
-presynaptic
-postsynaptic
2 types of synapses
-electrical
-chemical
electrical synapse
direct transmission of current between 2 cells (presynaptic + postsynaptic)
chemical synapse
release of chemical agent by presynaptic cell to attach to postsynaptic cell, eliciting a change in membrane potential (Vm)
myelin
allows for movement of current for charges to be FASTER
what creates myelin
glial cells
what glial cells create myelin in CNS
oligodendrocytes
what glial cells create myelin in PNS
Schwann cells
what does speed of AP propagation depend on
whether or not there is myelin
-whether or not there is more myelin
-fewer nodes
-etc.
an AP will propagate quicker if there is myelin or nodes
myelin
when there is myelin, what happens
appears that AP is jumping from one node to another
-saltatory conduction
how do nodes make AP faster
there is a greater density of voltage gated sodium channels, allowing for greater depolarization
-more channels/conductors = ions can move through doorways quicker + have more effective impact
where are APs generated
axon hillock
describe AP generation
APs are generated at the axon hillock when there is enough depolarization ->
AP will propagate downwards towards node 1 ->
if there is enough sodium that influxes to depolarize, the AP will propagate to node 2 ->
same thing to node 3
why are APs generated at the axon hillock
it is the first place that membrane potentials accumulate
-this is where it is determined if an AP is going to occur or not
what makes the axon hiloock special
HAS HIGHEST DENSITY OF SODIUM CHANNELS
where are the most sodium channels found
axon hillock
gap junction
little separators between the presynaptic + postsynaptic neuron
another name for gap junctions
electrical synapses
what do gap junctions (electrical synapses) allow for
-high conductance/passage
-high capacity for electrical current to flow in either direction
describe gap junction role in AP generation
-voltage gated ion channels in presynaptic cell will generate electrical current, which will pass through the gap junction; WE MUST DO THIS FOR AN AP TO START
-if there are enough gap junctions, you will be able to get more current through from the presynaptic to postsynaptic neuron + you will get AP generation
what do gap junctions do
MOVE CURRENT/ MOVE CHARGES
why are gap junctions referred to as electrical synapses?
because they are conducting electricity
what do gap junctions conduct
charges, charged ions
cell-to-cell adhesions are also called
membrane junctions
cell-to-cell adhesions (membrane junctions)
use plasma membrane to put things near each other (only those cells that want to be tightly packed)
3 types of cell-to-cell adhesions (membrane junctions)
-tight junctions
-desmosomes
-gap junctions
tight junctions
serve to seal adjacent cells together so that fluids cannot leak between them (fluid barrier)
desmosomes
anchor adjacent cells together to resist pulling forces (anchoring junctions)
gap junctions
provide a “tunnel” between adjacent cells allowing direct electrical + metabolic coupling of the cells
metabolic coupling
capillaries, tiny blood vessels that don’t contact all the cells of the body so all the cells can’t get nutrients in discrete ways SO you need gap junctions for tissue like skin like avascular tissue to get rid of waste + get nutrients in
where are gap junctions found
many places throughout the body
intercellular communciation
cell-to-cell interaction is necessary for homeostasis
direct intercellular communication
gap junctions
indirect intercellular communication
chemical messengers used
-chemical messenger is released by 1 cell
-receptors on different (target) cell
indirect/direct communication always take more time/effort
indirect
-think about communicating with a friend through another person; takes more time/effort
-direct method is much faster
gap junctions
comprise pair of channels in the membranes of the presynaptic + postsynaptic cells
-direct electrical coupling between 2 cells
are gap junctions small/large
large enough to permit passage of ions contribution to membrane potential
gap junctions are fast/slow
very rapid
gap junctions are passive/active
passive
-signal can degenerate
-if I travel from node 1 to node 3, there is a possibility that the signal is no longer strong enough + the AP dissipates
gap junctions are unidirectional/bidirectional
bidirectional
-can go one way or another
-CANNOT go backwards until refractory period ends
gap junctions are depolarizing/hyperpolarizing
either
neurotransmitters are slow/fast
relatively slow
-0.5 ms
neurotransmitters are the primary synapse in what
human movement
what do neurotransmitters attach to
ligand or voltage gated receptors/channels
where are neurotransmitters storeed
in synaptic vesicles
where are neurotransmitters removed
in the synaptic cleft
2 types of neurotransmitters
-small-molecule transmitters
-neuroactive peptides (short polymers of amino acids)
what are neurotransmitters influenced by
-concentration
-types of ions along membrane