Synaptic Transmission

Question 1

What is the role of a sensory neuron?

Answer 1

Carries impulses from receptors on the surface of skin to the central nervous system.

Question 2

What is the role of a motor neuron?

Answer 2

Carries impulses from the central nervous system to effectors i.e. muscles.

Question 3

What is the role of a relay neuron?

Answer 3

Located in the spinal cord or brain, they connect sensory and motor neurons.

Question 4

List the stages of synaptic transmission:

Answer 4

1) Action potential travels along the axon until it reaches the presynaptic terminal.
2) This triggers the release of neurotransmitters from the synaptic vesicles (e.g. seretonin).
3) The neurotransmitters diffuse across the synaptic cleft, binding to the receptor sites of the post stnaptic neuron.
4) This results in excitatory or inhibitory effects on postsnaptic neuron.

Question 5

Give an example of an excitatory and inhibitory neurotransmitter.

Answer 5

Excitatory= Dopamine

Inhibitory= Serotonin

Question 6

Describe the appearance of a relay neron.

Answer 6

-No myelin sheath.
-Cell body is part of the dendron.
-Long axon.

Question 7

Describe the appearance of a sensory neuron.

Answer 7

-Has a myelin sheath.
-Modestly long axon and dendron.
-Cell body petrudes in between the axon and dendron.

Question 8

Describe the appearance of a motor neuron.

Answer 8

-Has a myelin sheath.
-Long axon.
-Cell body is surrounded by dendrites.