Synapses and Neurotransmitters Flashcards
Do dendrites usually come in contact with each other?
No dendrites do not normally touch so if they were entirely reliant on electrical potentials their signals could not pass from one cell to another
What are synapses?
Synapses are what use chemicals to allow the impulses to go from one cell to another
What is the gap between cells known as and what is there function ?
The synaptic cleft and they make sure that the nerve impulse travels in one direction and as they are so small means that the chemicals take the minimal amount of time to pass from one cell to another
What is the most commonly learnt about neurotransmitter and what does it do?
Acetylcholine and like all other neurotransmitters it spills out of the vesicles in the presynaptic membrane the moment that the impulse reaches the synapse. This neurotransmitter passes across the synaptic cleft to the postsynaptic membrane
Why ate most neurotransmitters usually split up?
To prevent them form causing the same excitatory response again and again
What are 5 types of neurotransmitter?
Acetylcholine, norepinephrine, dopamine, serotonin and glycine
How is Acetylcholine normally used?
Within the muscle systems and can sometimes by used to inhibit nerves within the parasympathetic nervous system
Where is norepinephrine normally found?
In many cells involved in he brain stem and hypothalamus
What is the role of dopamine?
To control movement and mood and it acts to increase blood pressure and hart rate. It controls the mood and brain s reward system by stimulating the pleasure centre
What is serotonin?
Serotonin controls the digestive tracts and also the mood of the individual and a definceny in this can cause depression
What is glycine?
It is found in the central nervous system and is an inhibitory neurotransmitter. Its release normally makes a postsynaptic nerve less likely to fire, effectively reduction the chance of a nerve impulse being transmitted after the synapse onto the next nerve
How many synapses does a neutron normally have?
Between 1000-10,000 some being excitatory and some being inhibitory
