Synaptic Transmission

Question 1

What is synaptic transmission?

Answer 1

The process by which neighbouring neurons communicate with each other by sending chemical messages across the synaptic cleft them separates them

Question 2

What are neurotransmitters?

Answer 2

Brain chemicals released from synaptic vesicles that relay signals across the synapse from one neuron to another, can have inhibitory or an excitatory function

Question 3

What is excitation?

Answer 3

When a neurotransmitter increases the positive charge of the postsynaptic neuron which increases the likelihood that the neuron will fire and pass on the electrical impulse

Question 4

What is inhibition?

Answer 4

When a neurotransmitter makes the change of the postsynaptic neuron more negative which decreases the likelihood that the neuron will fire and pass on the electrical signal

Question 5

What is a synapse?

Answer 5

The junction between two neurons

Question 6

What is the synaptic cleft?

Answer 6

The space between the pre-synaptic and post-synaptic neuron

Question 7

What are synaptic vesicles?

Answer 7

Small sacs on the end of a presynaptic neuron that contain neurotransmitters

Question 8

What is the pre-synaptic neuron?

Answer 8

The transmitting neuron, before the synaptic cleft

Question 9

What is the post-synaptic neuron?

Answer 9

The neuron that is receiving the information at the synapse

Question 10

What is the post-synaptic receptor site?

Answer 10

A receptor on the post-synaptic neuron where a neurotransmitter locks onto which this triggers an electrical impulse in the post-synaptic neuron