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Biology-Neuronal Communication > What are Synapses and How do they work? > Flashcards

What are Synapses and How do they work? Flashcards

1
Q

What is a synapse?

A

Connection between 2 neurons

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2
Q

What do synapses allow?

A

Neurons to communicate with eachother (cell communication)

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3
Q

What are the 2 types of synapses?

A

-Electrical
-Chemical

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4
Q

Electrical Synapses

A

Only a few and are found in the brain

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5
Q

Chemical Synapses

A

Different synapses use different chemicals (neurotransmitters)

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6
Q

What chemical does the sympathetic nervous system use?

A

noreadrenaline

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7
Q

What chemical does the parasympathetic nervous system use?

A

Acetyl Choline (ACh)

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8
Q

What are synapses that use ACh called?

A

Cholinergic synapses

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9
Q

What is attached to the presynaptic neuron?

A

Presynaptic bulb/knob

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10
Q

What is in the presynaptic bulb/knob?

A

-Lots of mitochondira and SER
-Vesicles containing ACh
-Voltage gated Ca2+ channels

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11
Q

What is in the postsynaptic neuron?

A

-Nicotine ACh receptors with Na+ channels within
-Acetylcholinesterate (AChE)

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12
Q

What is the gap called between the presynaptic membrane and postsynaptic membrane?

A

Synaptic Cleft (~20nm)

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13
Q

What is the first step in how a synapse works?

A

An action potential at presynaptic bulb/knob (+40 mV) causing the voltage gated Ca2+ channels to open

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14
Q

What is the second step in how a synapse works?

A

Ca2+ diffuses (facilitated) into presynaptic bulb/knob causing vesicles containing ACh to move towards and fuse with presynaptic membrane and release Ach into cleft via exocytosis

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15
Q

What is the third step in how a synapse works?

A

-ACh diffuses across cleft and binds to nicotenic ACh
-If 2 bind causes the Na+ channel within the receptor to open

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16
Q

What is the fourth step in how a synapse works?

A

Na+ enter postsynaptic neurone so if enough enters so reaches threshold potential of -55mV causing voltage gated Na+ channels to open causing depolarisation

17
Q

What is different for different neurotransmitters?

A

ACh replaced

18
Q

What happens after synapse is produced?

A

AChE breaks down ACh

19
Q

Why is it important ACh is broken down?

A

So don’t keep getting action potential in postsynaptic neuron

20
Q

Equation for breakdown of ACh

A

ACh –> Acetic Acid + Choline

21
Q

What happens to Acetic Acid and Choline?

A

Diffuse back to presynaptic bulb and are converted back to ACh and are repackaged back into vesicles

22
Q

What does the diffusion of Acetic Acid and Choline require?

A

Lots of ATP (from lots of mitochondria)

23
Q

Why is lots of ATP required for not just the diffusion?

A

ATP is also used to pump Ca2+ out of presynaptic bulb afterwards

Biology-Neuronal Communication (6 decks)

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