Synaptic transmission Flashcards
Synaptic transmission
The process by which neighbouring neurons communicate with eachother by sending chemical messages across the synapse that separates them
Synapse
Gap between neurons
What charge do neurons have in its resting state inside of the cell?
negatively charged
What charge does a neuron get when it’s activated by a stimulus?
positive charge for a split second
action potential
a neural impulse; a brief electrical charge that travels down an axon, changing from negative to positive.
electric transmission
A neuron is rested inside of a negatively charged cell
The neuron is activated, the cell becomes positively charged causing an action potential
This creates an electrical impulse that travels down the axon towards the end of the neuron.
pre-synaptic neuron
a neuron that delivers a signal to a synapse
transferring the action potential
post-synaptic neuron
the neuron receiving the action potential
what does the synapse include
end of the pre-synaptic neuron, membrane of the post synaptic neuron and the gap inbetween
Synaptic cleft
the physical gap between the pre-synaptic neuron and the post-synaptic neuron
synaptic vesicles
contain chemical messengers known as neurotransmitters which assist in the transfer of action potential
Exocytosis
when action potential reaches the vesicles and it causes them to release their contents
re-uptake
a neurotransmitter’s reabsorption by the pre synaptic neuron and is stored for later release
Neurotransmitters
chemical messengers that carry signals from the pre-synaptic neuron across the synaptic cleft to the receptor site on the post synaptic neuron
Which two ways can neurotransmitters be classed?
Excitatory or inhibitory
inhibitory neurotransmitters
responsible for calming the mind and body including sleep and filtering out any unnecessary excitatory signals
excitatory neurotransmitters
likely to increase your chances to activate or carry out a behaviour
What are examples of excitatory neurons?
adrenaline and dopamine
What are examples of inhibitory neurons?
GABA and serotonin
What happens when an excitatory neurotransmitter binds to a post synaptic receptor?
Excitatory post synaptic potential (EPSP)
excitatory postsynaptic potential (EPSP)
The post synaptic cell is more likely to fire because an excitatory neurotransmitter has blinded to a post synaptic receptor causing an electrical charge in the membrane of the post-synaptic neuron
What happens when an inhibitory neurotransmitter binds to a post synaptic receptor?
Inhibitory post synaptic potential (IPSP)
inhibitory postsynaptic potential (IPSP)
The neuron is less likely to fire as an inhibitory neurotransmitter gas blinded to a post synaptic receptor
How is the likelihood of a cell firing determined if it receives both EPSP and IPSP at the same time?
adding up the excitatory and inhibitory synaptic input
