Synaptic Transmission

    Cards (8)

    • Synaptic Transmission
      1. Neurotransmitters released from pre-synaptic neuron into synaptic cleft
      2. Neurotransmitters bind to receptor sites on post-synaptic neuron's dendrites
    • Neurotransmitters
      Chemical messengers released by neurons
    • Excitatory neurotransmitters

      • Make it more likely for action potential to be developed in postsynaptic cell
    • Inhibitory neurotransmitters

      • Make it less likely for action potential to be developed in postsynaptic cell
    • Action potential
      Electric message
    • Synaptic Transmission steps
      1. Action potential travels down presynaptic neuron axon
      2. Synaptic vesicles merge/fuse with presynaptic cell membrane and release neurotransmitters into synaptic cleft
      3. Postsynaptic neuron receptors on dendrite membrane detect neurotransmitters
      4. If postsynaptic neuron passes a threshold = new action potential and passes message on
      5. Neurotransmitters detach from receptors for the reuptake process - transport proteins returning them to the presynaptic cell
    • Excitation
      Increased likelihood of new action potential formation in postsynaptic cell; become depolarised when excitatory neurotransmitters detected by receptors - electrical charge becomes more positive and likely to fire
    • Hyperpolarised
      Opposite of excitation, when inhibited neurotransmitters are detected
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