synaptic transmission

• cell body (soma) 


  includes a nucleus containing the cell's genetic material
• dendrites


  branch-like structures that carry impulses from the neighbouring neurons towards the cell body
• axon


  tube-like structure that carries the impulses away from the cell body down the length of the neuron.
• myelin sheath


  a fatty layer formed from special cells (glial) which wrap themselves around the axon. it both protects the axon and speeds up electrical transmission of the impulse.
• nodes of ranvier 


  allow the increase in electrical transmission by forcing the impulses to jump across the gaps
• axon terminals 


  involved in communication across the synapse
• label elements of synaptic transmission

  A) action potential

  B) pre-synaptic neuron

  C) neurotransmitter

  D) post-synpatic receptor

  E) post-synaptic neuron

  F) vesicle

  G) synapse

  
• What do antagonists bind to in the synapse?

  Post-synaptic receptors
• What do agonists bind to in the synapse?

  Reuptake channels
• What is synaptic transmission?

  • Process of converting electrical impulse to chemical
  • Electrical impulse travels down the axon as action potential
  • Triggers vesicles to release neurotransmitters
  • Specific neurotransmitters bind to specific receptors (lock and key)
  • Neurotransmitters in synapse are broken down or reuptaken
  • One-way process (vesicles only on pre-synaptic neuron)
• Neurotransmitters

  Different neurotransmitters have different functions.

  Some cause inhibition in the post-synaptic neuron - they make the neuron less likely to fire. An example of this is serotonin.

  Some ause excitations in the post-synaptic neuron - they make the neuron more likely to fire. An example of this is dopamine.