Synaptic Transmission

Question 1

Describe the process of synaptic transmission of acytlecholine.

Answer 1

1. action potential reaches the end of the sensory neurone
2. it stimulates the calcium ion channels to open and calcium ions enter the presynaptic knob
3. this stimulates vesicles to move towards the presynaptic neurone’s membrane
4. it then fuses with it and releases the neurotransmitters inside (acytlecholine) into the synaptic cleft (gap)
5. acylecholine then diffuses across the synapse and binds to the complementary receptors on the membrane of the post synaptic neurone
6. sodium ions then enter the post synaptic neurone stimulates the action potential to continue there

Question 2

What is summation?

Answer 2

the rapid buildup of neurotransmitters in the synapse so the threshold for the action potential can be exceeded in order to carry it on in the post synaptic neurone

Question 3

What are the two types of summations?

Answer 3

• Temporal
• Spatial

Question 4

What is temporal summation?

Answer 4

when one neurone releases neurotransmitters repeatedly into the same synapse over a short period of time in order to exceed the threshold

Question 5

What is spatial summation?

Answer 5

When many different neurones release neurotransmitters into the same synapse in order to exceed the threshold value