Synaptic Transmission

Question 1

Define synapse

Answer 1

The site of contact between 2 neurons

Question 2

What is the neuron before the synapse called?

Answer 2

Presynaptic neurons

Question 3

Synaptic transmission occurs by what 2 methods?

Answer 3

Chemical, electrical

Question 4

Define chemical synaptic transmission

Answer 4

The impulse will be transmitted from one neuron to the other by releasing a neurotransmitter

Question 5

What type of impulse transmission occurs in both directions

Answer 5

Electrical

Question 6

What is the mechanism of synaptic transmission?

Answer 6

1 when the nerve impulses reaches the synoptic knob, it will depolarize it opening the voltage gated Ca2+ channels on the membrane of the knobs
2 Ca 2+ causes phosphorylation of synapses. This phosphorylation loosens the vesicles and leads to its movement to fuse with the presynaptic membrane liberating the chemical transmitter by exocytosis at specific release sites
3 The released chemical transmitter will combine with specific receptors on the postsynaptic membrane. This combination results in activation or inhibition of ion channels in the membrane leading to excitatory or inhibitory postsynaptic potentials