Synaptic Transmission

Question 1

What is synaptic transmission?

Answer 1

• A nerve impulse passes across a synaptic cleft from one neuron (presynaptic) to another (postsynaptic)

Question 2

Steps of Synaptic Transmission

Answer 2

1. Action potential
2. Neurotransmitter released
3. Neurotransmitters diffuse across the synaptic clef
4. Re-uptake of neurotransmitters
5. Enzyme turn off neurotransmitters

Question 3

Neurotransmitters

Answer 3

• Chemicals that diffuse across the synapse to the next neuron

Question 4

Excitation

Answer 4

• Serotonin causes inhibition resulting in the neuron becoming more negatively charged (less likely to fire)

Question 5

Inhibition

Answer 5

• Adrenaline causes excitation of the postsynaptic neuron by increasing its positive charge (more likely to fire)

Question 6

Summation

Answer 6

• Whether the cell fires or not is determined by the sum of the excitatory (+) and inhibitory (-) inputs