5.2.3 Synapses

• At a synapse, an electrical signal is converted to a chemical signal.
• The presynaptic neuron releases neurotransmitters into the synaptic cleft.
• What happens to neurotransmitters after they cross the synaptic cleft?

  Bind to receptors
• Synapses ensure the electrical signal is converted to a chemical signal and back to an electrical signal.
• The postsynaptic neuron binds neurotransmitters to initiate a new electrical signal.


  True
• Neurotransmitters are released into the synaptic cleft.
• The synaptic cleft is the gap between the axon terminal and the dendrite of two neurons.


  True
• What does the postsynaptic neuron bind to initiate a new electrical signal?

  Neurotransmitters
• The binding of neurotransmitters to receptors causes ion channels to open.


  True
• What is a synapse?

  Junction between two neurons
• What happens to the electrical signal in the presynaptic neuron during synaptic transmission?

  Converts to chemical signal
• The binding of neurotransmitters to receptors on the postsynaptic neuron triggers the opening of ion channels.

  True
• The balance between excitatory and inhibitory synapses is crucial for proper nervous system function.


  True
• Define a synapse in a single sentence.

  Junction between two neurons
• Synapses allow one-way transmission of signals between neurons.


  True
• The release of neurotransmitters occurs into the synaptic cleft
• What type of signal conversion occurs during neurotransmission?

  Electrical to chemical to electrical
• What is an example of an excitatory neurotransmitter?

  Glutamate
• Match the key aspect of a synapse with its description:

  Structure ↔️ Gap between neurons called synaptic cleft

  Function ↔️ One-way transmission of signals

  Transmission ↔️ Electrical signal converted to chemical signal
• Steps in synaptic transmission

  1️⃣ Electrical signal reaches presynaptic axon terminal

  2️⃣ Neurotransmitters are released into synaptic cleft

  3️⃣ Neurotransmitters bind to postsynaptic receptors

  4️⃣ Ion channels open, generating a new electrical signal

  5️⃣ Signal continues along postsynaptic neuron
• The axon terminal of the presynaptic neuron is separated from the dendrite of the postsynaptic neuron by a gap called the synaptic cleft
• There are two main types of synapses: excitatory and inhibitory
• The balance between excitatory and inhibitory neurotransmitters is essential for proper nervous system function.


  True
• What is a synapse?

  Junction between two neurons
• Why is synaptic transmission one-way?

  Ensures correct signal propagation
• Steps in the process of neurotransmission across a synapse

  1️⃣ Electrical signal reaches axon terminal

  2️⃣ Neurotransmitters are released into synaptic cleft

  3️⃣ Neurotransmitters bind to receptors on postsynaptic neuron

  4️⃣ Ion channels open, generating electrical signal

  5️⃣ Electrical signal continues along postsynaptic neuron
• The presynaptic neuron releases neurotransmitters
• Steps of neurotransmission across a synapse

  1️⃣ Electrical signal reaches axon terminal

  2️⃣ Neurotransmitters released into synaptic cleft

  3️⃣ Neurotransmitters bind to receptors on postsynaptic neuron

  4️⃣ Ion channels open, generating electrical signal

  5️⃣ Electrical signal travels along postsynaptic neuron
• What are the two main types of synapses?

  Excitatory and inhibitory
• What is the primary role of neurotransmitters in synapses?

  Transmit signals between neurons
• What is the first step in neurotransmission across a synapse?

  Electrical signal reaches axon terminal
• Neurotransmitters bind to receptors on the postsynaptic neuron.


  True
• The balance between excitatory and inhibitory synapses is crucial for proper nervous system function.


  True
• Synapses allow two-way transmission of signals between neurons.

  False
• A synapse is the junction between two neurons
• Synapses allow signals to travel in both directions between neurons.

  False
• Neurotransmitters are chemical messengers that transmit signals across synapses.


  True
• Steps of neurotransmission across a synapse

  1️⃣ An electrical signal reaches the axon terminal of the presynaptic neuron

  2️⃣ Neurotransmitters are released into the synaptic cleft

  3️⃣ Neurotransmitters bind to receptors on the postsynaptic neuron

  4️⃣ Ion channels open in the postsynaptic neuron, generating an electrical signal

  5️⃣ The electrical signal travels along the postsynaptic neuron
• Synapses ensure unidirectional signal flow in the nervous system.


  True
• Inhibitory synapses make it harder for the neuron to reach its firing threshold.