Summation and Unidirectionality Flashcards

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1
Q

Why is summation needed?

A

as some action potentials do not result in sufficient neurotransmitters to result in a new action potential

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2
Q

What are the 2 types of summation?

A

spatial and temporal

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3
Q

What is summation?

A

the rapid build up of neurotransmitters in the synapse (to help generate an action potential by either spatial or temporal summation)

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4
Q

What is spatial summation?

A

where multiple pre-synaptic neurones attach to one synapse and post-synaptic neurone, allowing larger [neurotransmitters] to build up

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5
Q

What is temporal summation?

A

only one neurone attached to the next, and neurotransmitter is released repeatedly

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6
Q

How does spatial summation work?

A

the collective amount of neurotransmitter release by the multiple pre-synaptic neurones trigger an action potential

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7
Q

How does temporal summation work?

A

over time, the amount of neurotransmitters add up, therefore more Na+ ions diffuse in, eventually triggering an action potential

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8
Q

Why are synapses unidirectional?

A
  • neurotransmitters only released at pre-synaptic membrane
  • complementary receptor sites only found on post-synaptic membrane
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