Study Question One

• Q1. Draw and label a chemical (vesicular) synapse, include ALL structures discussed in class and their functions.
• Label RED: action potential

  
• Label ORANGE: mitochondria

  
• Label YELLOW: endoplasmic reticulum

  
• Label GREEN: telodendria

  
• Label BLUE: axon terminal

  
• Label PURPLE: synaptic vesicles

  
• Label LIGHT PINK: presynaptic membrane

  
• Label MID PINK: synaptic cleft

  
• Label DARK PINK: postsynaptic membrane

  
• Action potential: An electrical signal that travels along the neuron to trigger neurotransmitter release.
• Action potential: An electrical signal that travels along the neuron to trigger neurotransmitter release.
• Mitochondrion: Provides energy needed for neurotransmitter synthesis and release.
• Mitochondrion: Provides energy needed for neurotransmitter synthesis and release.
• Sarcoplasmic reticulum: Stores and releases calcium ions that are crucial for neurotransmitter release.
• Sarcoplasmic reticulum: Stores and releases calcium ions that are crucial for neurotransmitter release.
• Presynaptic membrane: The membrane of the axon terminal that releases neurotransmitters into the synaptic cleft.
• Presynaptic membrane: The membrane of the axon terminal that releases neurotransmitters into the synaptic cleft.
• Synaptic cleft: The tiny gap between the presynaptic and postsynaptic membranes where neurotransmitters travel.
• Synaptic cleft: The tiny gap between the presynaptic and postsynaptic membranes where neurotransmitters travel.
• Postsynaptic membrane: The membrane on the receiving neuron that contains receptors for the neurotransmitters.
• Postsynaptic membrane: The membrane on the receiving neuron that contains receptors for the neurotransmitters.
• Telodendria: The branching endings of an axon that lead to the axon terminal and increase communication with other neurons.
• Telodendria: The branching endings of an axon that lead to the axon terminal and increase communication with other neurons.
• Axon terminal: The end part of an axon where neurotransmitters are stored and released.
• Axon terminal: The end part of an axon where neurotransmitters are stored and released.
• Synaptic vesicle: Small sacs that contain neurotransmitters and release them into the synaptic cleft upon stimulation.
• Synaptic vesicle: Small sacs that contain neurotransmitters and release them into the synaptic cleft upon stimulation.
• Source

  • Chapter Thirteen: Figure 13.14, Page 352
• Name the STRUCTURE in TURQUOISE: receptors for neurotransmitters

  
• Synaptic vesicle exocytosis is...

  The biological process by which a synaptic vesicle fuses with the plasma membrane of the pre-synaptic axon terminal and releases its contents into the synaptic cleft
• Exocytosis occurs in the synaptic cleft