Synaptic transmission Flashcards
What’s the synaptic transmission?
The process by which neighbouring neurons communicate with each other by sending chemical messages across the synapse that separates them.
What is the synapse?
The gap between two neurons which neurotransmitters must pass across. to transmit a nerve impulse.
What is the process of synaptic transmission?
An ATP causes an electrical impulse to travel along the axon of the transmitting neuron. This triggers the nerve-ending of the pre-synaptic neuron to release chemical messengers called neurotransmitters in the synapse. These chemicals diffuse across the synapse (the gap) and bind with receptor molecules on the membrane of the next neuron to transmit the electrical impulse. This causes either an excitatory (more likely to fire) or inhibitory (less likely to fire) response in the post synaptic neuron. Reuptake: the neurotransmitter is reabsorbed in the vesicles of the pre-synaptic neuron after it has performed its function of transmitting a neural impulse.
What is excitation?
When a neurotransmitter increases the positive charge of the post-synaptic neuron.
More likely to fire and pass on the electrical impulse.
Adrenaline (both hormone & neurotransmitter)- excitation (making neuron more likely to fire).
What is inhibition?
When a neurotransmitter increases the negative charge of the post-synaptic neuron.
This decreases the likelihood that the neuron will fire and pass on the electrical impulse.
Serotonin - inhibition (making neuron less likely to fire).
