synapse structure Flashcards
What does a synapse link
2 or more neurones together
What is the purpose of a synapse
To allow the action potentials from one neurone to be communicated to the next
Where does the information travel from and too
Travels from the pre-synaptic neurone, across the synaptic cleft, to the post-synaptic neurone
What is the pre-synaptic knob
A swelling at the end of the axon of a pre-synaptic neurone
What is the presynaptic knob filled with
Synaptic vesicles
What are the synaptic vesicles filled with
neurotransmitters
What are neurotransmitters
Chemicals that stimulate the post-synaptic neurone
Where are the vesicles made
The smooth endoplasmic reticulum
What does the release of vesicles require
ATP
What else is found in the pre-synaptic knob as a result of ATP needing to be produced
Mitochondria
What is the final feature of presynaptic knobs?
They have voltage gated calcium ion channels in the membrane
What is the purpose of the voltage gated calcium channels
They detect when an action potential arrives at the end of the axon
What is the synaptic cleft
The gap between the pre and post synaptic neurones
Where do neurotransmitters go after they are released from the pre-synaptic knob
The synaptic cleft
What is contained in the synaptic cleft
Enzymes that break down the neurotransmitter
