Task 3 Flashcards
synapse
the tiny gap between neurons where information is passed from one to the other
postsynaptic
referring to the region of a synapse that receives and responds to neurotransmitter
presynaptic
referring to the region of a synapse that releases neurotransmitter
presynaptic membrane
the specialized membrane of the axon terminal of the neuron that transmits information by releasing neurotransmitter
synaptic cleft
the space between the presynaptic and postsynaptic elements
postsynaptic membrane
the specialized membrane on the surface of the cell that receives information by responding to neurotransmitter from a presynaptic neuron
neurotransmitter
(also synaptic transmitter or chemical transmitter) The chemical released from the presynaptic axon terminal that serves as the basis of communication between neurons.
receptor
a protein that binds and reacts to molecules of a neurotransmitter or hormone
neural plasticity
the ability of the nervous system to change in response to experience or the enviroment
axodendritic synapses
synapses of axon terminal buttons on dendrites
dendritic spines
nodes of various shapes that are located on the surfaces of many dendrites
axosomatic synapses
synapses of axon terminal buttons on somas (Cell bodies)
special feature of dendrodendritic synapses
they are able of transmission in either direction
axoaxonic synapse is important because
they can mediate presynaptic facilitation and inhibition. An axoaxonic synapse near a terminal button can selectively facilitate or inhibit the effects of that button on the postsynaptic neuron.
(Its a synapse (1) that influences a synapse (2) from another neuron, resulting in the facilitation or inhibition of the second synapse on another neuron (3)
Advantage of presynaptic facilitation and inhibition:
they can selectively influence one particular synapse rather than the entire presynaptic neuron
