Synaptic Transmission Flashcards
What is a presynaptic knob?
A swelling at the end of the presynaptic neuron; contains vesicles which hold neurotransmitters
What is a synaptic cleft?
Space between the axon of one neuron and the dendrites of another; where the electrical signal is turned into a chemical messenger that can be detected by the next neuron
What is a postsynaptic membrane?
The membrane that receives a signal from the presynaptic neuron
What does the signal start as at the beginning of the transmission?
An electrical impulse (action potential)
What is released from the pre-synaptic knob?
Neurotransmitters
What does the electrical impulse then turn into?
A chemical substance
What do the neurotransmitters bind with on the postsynaptic membrane?
Receptors
What is the postsynaptic neuron then stimulated to do?
Generate another electrical impulse to travel down the axon of the postsynaptic neuron
What happens to the neurotransmitters after transmission?
They are destroyed by enzymes or recycled, to be used again by the presynaptic neuron
What are the 2 types of neurotransmitters?
Excitatory and inhibitory
What do excitatory neurotransmitters do?
Stimulates an action potential in the postsynaptic neuron and increase the neuron’s positive charge
What is an example of an excitatory neurotransmitter?
Adrenaline
What do inhibitory neurotransmitters do?
Inhibit an action potential in the postsynaptic neuron and increase the neuron’s negative charge
What is an example of an inhibitory neurotransmitter?
Serotonin
