Synaptic Transmission Flashcards
What is the function of synapses
transmit info by making post-synaptic neuron excited
can delay, converge, repeat, or sustain transmission
can modify excitability of all CNS cells
in electrical synapse, what is allowing transmission of signal
gap junction
gap junctions in electrical synapse are important in bidirectional transmission of electrical signals b/w which cells
cardiac cells, smooth muscle cells, some nerve cells, and endothelial cells.
Draw the structure of a neuron
pg 8
what is the function of dendrites
receive messages from other cells
what is the function of the neuron cell body
cell’s life support center
what is the function of the axon hillock?
initiation of action potential
what is the function of the axon
passes messages away from the cell body to other neurons, muscles, or glands
what is nerve impulse
the action potential
travels down the axon
what is the function of the myelin sheath
covers axon, helps improve speed of nerve impulses
what is the function of terminal branches of axon
form junctions w/ other cells
chemical vs. electrical, which is more common?
chemical
describe a chemical synapse
always transmitted in one direction
synaptic clef separates presynaptic terminal from postsynaptic neuron
mitochondria are found in high density where on presynaptic neuron
presynaptic terminals -they need to energize the synthesis of neurotransmitteres
each synaptic vesicle is filled with what
severl thousand molecules of neurotransmitters
what is the synaptic vessicle made out of
lipid bilayer
vesicle membrane associated proteins
what kind of proteins are included in the synatpic vessicle
transporters
enzymes
proteins involved in vesicle mobilization, docking, & fusion
what is main function of dendritic zone and cell body
integrate and pass conduction of synaptic potentials to axon hillock
describe the release process of the vesicle from the pre-synaptic neuron
opening of a fusion pore between the vesicle membrane and the plasma membrane at the presynaptic terminal and the exocytosis of the vesicle contents (neurotransmitter) into the synaptic cleft
what part of neuron can be receptive to synaptic contact
cell body, dendrites, axon
what is another name for cell body
soma
draw a picture of Axodendritic, Axosomatic, and Axo-axonic synapses
pg 12
what is the trigger zone
axon hillock portion of initial segment of motor axon
where do axodendritic synapses occur
shaft or spine of a dendrite
what determines the effectiveness of axodendritic synapse
how close the synapse is to the trigger zone (axon hillock)
where do axosomatic synapses occur
on the cell body
what determines the effectiveness of the axosomatic synapses
they are automatically more effective/stronger than axodendritic b/c they are so close to the axon hillock.
which generate a stronger signal, axosomatic synapse or axodendritic synapse?
axosomatic synapse
where do axo-axonic synapses occur?
on the axon of a neuron
what determines the effectivness of the axo-axonic synapse?
b/c it’s after the trigger zone (axon hillock), it won’t have any affect on the initial signal that is released. it will indirectly affect the post-synaptic neuron b/c it will influence the amount of neurotransmitter released
in a motor neuron where is AP generated
axon hillock
in a sensory neuron where is AP generated
first node of ranvier
What does EPSP stand for
excitatory postsynaptic potential
What does IPSP stand for
inhibitory postsynaptic potential
can a single neuron in CNS depolarize a post-synaptic neuron?
no - it won’t have enough to depolarize the post-synaptic neuron