Synapses

Question 1

what are synapses?

Answer 1

each neuron is separated from the next by a tiny gap called the synapse.

Question 2

what are the 5 steps of synaptic transmission?

Answer 2

1. impulse travels along axon of pre-synaptic neuron.
2. vesicles in pre-synaptic neuron release neurotransmitters.
3. neurotransmitters diffuse across the synapse and bind with receptors on the post-synaptic membrane.
4. receptors on the post-synaptic neurone bind onto specific neurotransmitter and the post synaptic neurone transmits electrical impulse.
5. there is reuptake as the neurotransmitters are reabsorbed into the vesicles of the pre-synaptic neurone after it performs it’s functions.

Question 3

what are neurotransmitters?

Answer 3

they are chemicals that diffuse across the synapse to the next neurone in the chain. it is made to carry a message across the synapse.

Question 4

what are examples of neurotransmitters?

Answer 4

serotonin affects the mood and social behaviour but is a neurotransmitter which has an inhibitory effect so less likely to to fire message to post-synaptic neurone,
adrenaline which is excitatory effect so more likely to fire message to post synaptic neurone

Question 5

what is excitation?

Answer 5

it is where a neurotransmitter has an excitatory effect and so the message is more likely to be fired to the post-synaptic neurone. adrenaline has this effect

Question 6

what is inhibition?

Answer 6

it is where a neurotransmitter has an inhibitory effect in the neuron and so message is weaker and so less likely to fire the message to the post synaptic neurone. one example is serotonin.

Question 7

what is summation?

Answer 7

excitatory and inhibitory influences are summed and much reach a certain threshold for the action potential of the post synaptic neurone to be triggered. if the net effect of neurotransmitter for example is inhibitory then post synaptic neurone less likely to fire. however if net effect is excitatory more likely to fire.