synapse Flashcards
1
Q
what is a synapse
A
- the very small gap between adjacent neurons
2
Q
what direction do synapses occur?
A
from axon to dendrite/cell body
3
Q
what is the first step of a synapse?
A
- AP arrives at pre synaptic terminal and triggers voltage gated calcium channels to open
4
Q
what is the second step of a synapse?
A
- causes calcium to rush into presynaptic terminal via conc gradient
5
Q
what is the third step of a synapse?
A
- calcium binds to vesicle and triggers it to migrate towards synapse
6
Q
what is the fourth step of a synapse?
A
- vesicle binds to membrane and excretes neurotransmitters by exocytosis
7
Q
what is the fifth step of a synapse?
A
- neurotransmitters diffuse across the clef and bind to chemically gated sodium channels on post synaptic terminal
8
Q
what is the sixth step of a synapse?
A
- this stimulates ligand-gated protein channels to open which allows influx of Na via conc gradient
9
Q
what is the seventh step of a synapse?
A
- an AP will be generated in the post synaptic membrane
10
Q
what is the eighth step of a synapse?
A
- neurotransmitters will be reabsorbed into a presynaptic cleft or broken down by enzyme action
