Synapses and the role of Neurotransmitters Flashcards
What does the CNS consist of?
the brain and the spinal cord
What does the peripheral nervous system consist of?
- sensory nervous system
- motor systems
- autonomic nervous system
What does the atomic nervous system consist of?
- sympathetic
- parasympathetic
- enteric
What is a unipolar nerve cell?
a single axonal process
What is a multipolar nerve cell?
nerve cell with multiple axonal processes
What is a pseudo-unipolar cell?
a nerve cell with a single axonal process but with two dendritic regions
What’s the fastest electrical synapse?
the gap junction
What are some features of the gap auction?
- direct transfer of ionic current (also small molecules)
- bi-directional
Where are gap junctions found?
between neurones in the CNS
What type of neurones takes information to the brain?
afferent
What type of neurone takes information away from the brain?
efferent
How does synaptic transmission work?
- action potential invades the nerve terminal
- depolarisation triggers Ca2+ channel opening causing Ca2+
- Neurotransmitter released by exocytosis
- Neurotransmitter diffuses across the synapse and binds to a receptor
- post synaptic effect
- rapid termination of signal
How is the signal terminated?
- re-upatake of neurotransmitter
- enzymatic breakdown
What is the major excitatory neurotransmitter?
glutamate
What is the major inhibitory neurotransmitter?
GABA