Terminal Buttons

• How do terminal buttons facilitate communication between neurons?

  By releasing neurotransmitters into the synapse
• Describe the process that occurs at terminal buttons.

  • Activation of terminal buttons
  • Movement of synaptic vesicles to presynaptic membrane
  • Release of neurotransmitters into synaptic cleft
  • Diffusion of neurotransmitters to signal other neurons
• Where do terminal buttons occur in a neuron?

  At the very end of axon branches
• What is released into the synaptic cleft during synaptic transmission?

  Neurotransmitters
• What are the key structural features of terminal buttons?

  • Swollen tip structure
  • Synaptic vesicles with neurotransmitters
  • Mitochondria for energy
• What happens when terminal buttons are activated?

  Vesicles move to presynaptic membrane
• What are terminal buttons in synaptic transmission?

  They are structures at the end of neurons
• What is released into the synaptic cleft when vesicles empty?

  Neurotransmitters
• What is indicated at the far right of the image?

  Small terminal buttons at axon ends.
• What triggers the synaptic vesicles to fuse with the presynaptic membrane?

  The influx of calcium ions
• What do synaptic vesicles contain?

  Chemical messengers called neurotransmitters
• Where are terminal buttons located on a neuron?

  At the far end of an axon.
• How do terminal buttons relate to the structure of an axon?

  • Terminal buttons are located at the end of an axon
  • They branch out from the axon
  • Each terminal button contains synaptic vesicles
• What happens when a nerve impulse reaches the terminal buttons?

  Voltage-gated calcium channels open
• What do terminal buttons form with muscle fiber membranes?

  A junction
• What type of channels open when a nerve impulse reaches terminal buttons?

  Voltage-gated calcium channels
• What happens when neurotransmitters are released from terminal buttons?

  They transmit nerve signals to other neurons
• What is the role of synaptic vesicles in synaptic transmission?

  They store neurotransmitters for release
• What are terminal buttons?

  Tiny structures at the end of an axon
• What is another name for terminal buttons?

  Terminal boutons
• How do terminal buttons contribute to neurotransmission?

  They release neurotransmitters into the synaptic cleft
• What is the function of synaptic vesicles in terminal buttons?

  They transmit nerve signals to other neurons
• What is the function of mitochondria in terminal buttons?

  Providing energy for neurotransmission
• What is the relationship between terminal buttons and nerve signals?

  Terminal buttons release neurotransmitters for signaling
• What role do neurotransmitters play in the nervous system?

  They transmit signals between neurons
• What does the image in the study material illustrate?

  Axon splitting into multiple branches.
• How do terminal buttons relate to axon branches?

  They are found at the end of each branch.
• How does the opening of calcium channels affect neurotransmitter release?

  It triggers vesicles to fuse and release neurotransmitters
• How does the structure of terminal buttons support their function?

  They have vesicles that store and release neurotransmitters
• What is the sequence of events in synaptic transmission?

  1. Nerve impulse arrives
  2. Calcium channels open
  3. Vesicles fuse
  4. Neurotransmitters released
• What is the role of neurotransmitters in the synaptic cleft?

  To signal other neurons
• What shape do terminal buttons have?

  Distinct rounded shape
• What do the small yellow dots represent in the image of terminal buttons?

  Synaptic vesicles
• What are the two locations where terminal buttons can be found?

  • At the end of each axon branch
  • In clusters where multiple branches meet
• How do terminal buttons interact with muscle fibers?

  They touch the muscle fiber membrane
• What do terminal buttons contain?

  Synaptic vesicles that release neurotransmitters