Synapses Flashcards
what is the synaptic cleft
small space between neurons
what is post synaptic density
high concentration of proteins - ligand gated NT receptors
what are dendritic spines
contact points on the post synaptic neuron (small projections of the cell membrane)
specific to 1 NT
function of electrical synapses
synchronising activity in neuron populations
differences between electrical and chemical synapses
electrical have sub millisecond delays, can be 1+ms for chemical
electrical less studied because can’t introduce chemicals to them to alter function
what ion triggers the fusing of synaptic vesicles to the presynaptic membrane
calcium
what does the number of vesicles fusing directly correspond to
amount of NT in the synapse (more vesicles = more NT)
what activates SNARE complexes
entry of calcium into the presynpatic terminal
what does SNARE protein interaction cause
docking and fusion of synaptic vesicle and release of NTs
why do complex protein interactions occur at the synapse
to create, load, and release synaptic vesicles
what do calcium chelators do
grab on to free calcium ions making it biologically inactive
used to find that calcium entry was the trigger
when do omega formations occur
when neuron is stimulated (reps the shape of vesicle fusing to membrane)
