Synaptic Transmission

Question 1

step 1

Answer 1

synaptic vesicles at the end of the presynaptic axon contain neurotransmitters

Question 2

step 2

Answer 2

when an action potential reaches the vesicles, neurotransmitters are released into the synaptic gap through a process called exocytosis

Question 3

step 3

Answer 3

neurotransmitters diffuse across the gap and bind onto specialised receptors on the surface of the postsynaptic neuron

Question 4

step 4

Answer 4

once activated, receptor molecules produce either excitatory or inhibitory effects on the postsynaptic neuron (summation)

Question 5

step 5

Answer 5

the quicker the re-uptake of the neurotransmitter into the presynaptic neuron, the shorter the excitatory or inhibitory effect

Question 6

what is an excitatory neurotransmitter

Answer 6

those that trigger nerve impulses in the receiving neuron and stimulate the brain into action, make the postsynaptic cell more likely to fire

Question 7

what is an inhibitory neurotransmitter

Answer 7

those that slow down nerve impulses in order to calm the brain and balance mood, reduce likelihood of a new action potential

Question 8

example of excitatory neurotransmitters

Answer 8

dopamine and noradrenaline

Question 9

examples of inhibitory neurotransmitters

Answer 9

GABA

Question 10

what is summation

Answer 10

the process by which a nerve cell adds up the excitatory and inhibitory input to determine whether or not a cell fires

Question 11

what is reuptake

Answer 11

when neurotransmitters are reabsorbed into the presynaptic cell after transmitting a neural impulses

Question 12

what does the term uni-directional refer to

Answer 12

information passed chemically between neurons can only be passed in one direction, due to the structure of the synapse (location of receptors)

Question 13

what is a SSRI

Answer 13

a class of drug which influence the process of neurotransmission, blocking the reabsorption of serotonin into the presynaptic cell