synapses and transmission

Question 1

list the events in synaptic transmission

Answer 1

presyanptic action potential
depolarisation of synaptic terminal
opening of voltage gated ca channels
ca entry and fusion of vesicles with membrane
transmitter release (and reuptakee/degradation)
ACh receptor activated cation channels open
activation of na and k channels

Question 2

what are EPSPs and IPSPs?

Answer 2

sub threshold events which determine whether a neuron will reach threshold to fire an action potential or not

Question 3

what do EPSPs do?

Answer 3

add to generate depolarisation

Question 4

what do IPSPs do?

Answer 4

add to generate hyperpolarisation

Question 5

ionic basis of EPSPs?

Answer 5

entry of sodium ions then the exit of potassium ions

Question 6

ionic basis of IPSPs?

Answer 6

entry of potassium ions and the exit of chloride ions

Question 7

what is a SNARE?

Answer 7

snap receptor

Question 8

what does SNAP stand for?

Answer 8

soluble NSF attachment protein

Question 9

what does NSF stand for?

Answer 9

NEM sensitive factor

Question 10

what does NEM stand for?

Answer 10

N-ethylmaleimide

Question 11

step 1 of synaptic exocytosis?

Answer 11

synaptic vesicles fuse to the plasma membrane using SNARE proteins to release neurotransmitters

Question 12

step 2 of synaptic exocytosis?

Answer 12

after vesicle fusion NSF/SNAP proteins disassemble SNARE proteins and they are reused.