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A2 Biology > Unit 2: Synapses > Flashcards

Unit 2: Synapses Flashcards

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1
Q

What is a synapse?

A

the junction between two neurones.

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2
Q

What is the gap between two neurones called?

A

the synaptic cleft

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3
Q

Action potentials cannot cross the synaptic cleft, how is the nerve impulse continued in the next neurone?

A

the nerve impulses are carried to the next neurone by neurotransmitters

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4
Q

Where are neurotransmitters made?

A

the presynaptic neurone

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5
Q

Where are neurotransmitters stored?

A

in the synaptic vesicles in the synaptic knob

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6
Q

Which two organelles are important for the manufacture of neurotransmitters?

A

mitochondria and endoplasmic reticulum

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7
Q

What are neuroreceptors?

A

charge gated ion channels that are specific binding sites for the neurotransmitters

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8
Q

Where are neuroreceptors found?

A

on the post synaptic neurone

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9
Q

What is the name of the neurotransmitter in a cholinergic synapse?

A

Acetylcholine

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10
Q

What is acetylcholine made up of?

A

ethanoic acid and choline

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11
Q

In which two places do cholinergic synapses occur?

A

The central nervous system and neuromuscular junctions

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12
Q

What happens when an action potential reaches the presynaptic neurone?

A

the calcium voltage gated channels open, causing calcium to diffuse into the cell down the concentration gradient.

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13
Q

What does the influx of calcium ions in the presynaptic neurone cause?

A

the synaptic vesicles to fuse with the membrane and release acetylcholine into the synaptic cleft via exocytosis

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14
Q

What happens after acetylcholine diffuses across the synaptic cleft?

A

It binds to the receptor sites on the post synaptic neurone which causes sodium ion channels to open. Sodium diffuses into the membrane down the concentration gradient.

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15
Q

What happens after the sodium ion channels open in the post synaptic neurone?

A

It causes depolarisation of the postsynaptic cell membrane called the post synaptic potential which then generates an action potential

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16
Q

What is the name of the enzyme that breaks down acetylcholine?

A

acetylcholinesterase

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17
Q

What does acetylcholinesterase do?

A

hydrolyses the neurotransmitter into acetyl and choline.

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18
Q

What happens after acetylcholine has been hydrolysed in the postsynaptic cleft?

A

Acetyl and choline diffuse back across the synaptic cleft and are absorbed by presynaptic neurone by endocytosis

19
Q

Why does acetylcholine get broken down at the postsynaptic neurone?

A

To prevent continuously generating an action potential

20
Q

How is acetylcholine reformed in the presynaptic neurone?

A

ATP made by mitochondria is used to recombine acetyl and choline which is then stored in the synaptic vesicle for future use.

21
Q

What are the five different types of synapses?

A

Excitatory ion channel synapse, Inhibitory ion channel synapse, non channel synapse, neuromuscular synapse and electrical synapse

22
Q

What are the neuroreceptors for excitatory ion-channel synapses?

A

sodium channels

23
Q

Why does the excitatory ion-channel synapse make action potentials more likely?

A

because positive ions diffuse in causing depolarisation

24
Q

What a typical neurotransmitter for an excitatory ion-channel synapse?

A

acetylcholine

25
Q

What is the neuroreceptor for the inhibitory ion channel synapse?

A

chloride channels

26
Q

Why is an action potential less likely in an inhibitory ion channel synapse?

A

because negative ions diffuse in causing hyperpolarisation (more negative inside than usual)

27
Q

What are non channel synapses?

A

synapses where the neuroreceptors are membrane bound enzymes, not ion channels

28
Q

What type of response do non channel synapses create?

A

long lasting, slow responses

29
Q

Which type of synapse is a junction between effectors and muscle cells

A

neuromuscular junctions

30
Q

What is the neurotransmitter for neuromuscular junctions?

A

acetylcholine

31
Q

Why are electrical synapses different from the other four types of synapses?

A

They are the only synapses to touch and share proteins. Action potentials pass directly through the neurones without a neurotransmitter

32
Q

Electrical synapses are very rare, in which two places do they occur?

A

the heart and the eye

33
Q

What is summation?

A

The process that produces enough neurotransmitters to trigger an action potential in the neighbouring neurone.

34
Q

What are the two different types of summations?

A

Spatial and temporal

35
Q

What is spatial summation?

A

where a number of different presynaptic neurones together release enough neurotransmitters to exceed threshold potential and generate an action potential

36
Q

What is temporal summation?

A

where a single presynaptic neurone releases neurotransmitter many times over a short time period and generate enough to exceed threshold potential and produce an action potential

37
Q

How does a drug that mimics a neurotransmitter affect the synapse?

A

Stimulates it

38
Q

How does a drug that stimulates the release of neurotransmitters affect the synapse?

A

stimulates it

39
Q

How does a drug that opens neuroreceptor channels affect the synapse?

A

stimulates it

40
Q

How does a drug that blocks neuroreceptor channels affect the synapse

A

inhibits it

41
Q

How does a drug that inhibits the breakdown enzyme affect the synapse?

A

stimulates it

42
Q

What is the term that describes a drug that stimulates a synapse?

A

Agonists

43
Q

What is the term that describes a drug that inhibits a synapse?

A

Antagonists

A2 Biology (7 decks)

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