Transmission Of A Signal Across A Synapse

Question 1

How do the transmissions worK?

Answer 1

They have a domino effect - each neuron receives an impulse and passes it on to the next
Through a chain of chemical events, the Dendrites pick up an impulse that passes through the axon and is transmitted to the next neuron

Question 2

What is a Synapse/Synaptic Cleft?

Answer 2

The connections between two neurons or a neuron and an effector (the gap between the axon of one neuron and the dendrites of the next neuron)

Question 3

What is a Neuromuscular Junction?

Answer 3

A synapse between a motor neuron and a muscle cell

Question 4

How do impulses travel on a neuron?

Answer 4

From one end to the other (dendrite to synaptic terminal)
Most terminals are not connected - they have a gap (synaptic cleft) which will allow neurotransmitters to diffuse from one neuron to the next (to the protein receptors in the next neuron)

NTs can also carry a signal from a neuron to an effector (gland or muscle)

Question 5

How do Neurotransmitters work?

Answer 5

Nerve impulses cause chemicals known as Neurotransmitters to be released
The NT binds with the receptor proteins on the neuron membrane
Excitation or inhibition of the membrane occurs
After the NT produces its effect, the receptor releases it and enzymes in the cell will degrade it

Question 6

What happens when a neuron gets multiple impulses at once?

Answer 6

Summation
When impulses add together together to reach threshold and cause a neuron to fire