Synaptic Structure and Function

Question 1

What different types of synapses are there?

Answer 1

Electrical
Chemical
Mixed

Question 2

With regards to electrical synapses, how wide is the synaptic cleft?

Answer 2

3nm

Question 3

What is the mediating agent in electronic synapses?

Answer 3

Ion current

Question 4

What is the synaptic delay time in electronic synapses?

Answer 4

Little or none

Question 5

Are electrical synapses uni or bi directional?

Answer 5

Bi-directional as they are based on concentration gradients

Question 6

Which type of synapse are most of the brains synapses?

Answer 6

Chemical

Question 7

With regards to chemical synapses, how wide is the synaptic cleft?

Answer 7

30-50nm

Question 8

What is the mediating agent in chemical synapses?

Answer 8

A chemical messenger

Question 9

What is the synaptic delay time in chemical synapses?

Answer 9

0.3 - 0.5msec

Question 10

Are chemical synapses uni or bi directional?

Answer 10

Unidirectional

Question 11

What is one way to classify synapses based on the thickness of the post-synaptic density thickness?

Answer 11

Symmetric or asymmetric synapses

Question 12

What is the difference between grey type 1 and grey type 2 synapses?

Answer 12

Type 1 = round vesicles and large active zones (bits of the pre and post synaptic neurons which re close)

Type 2 = oval vesicles and small active zones

Question 13

Where do type 1 and type 2 usually attach to post-ganglionic neurons?

Answer 13

Type 1 = end on shaft or spine

Type 2 = end on soma