synaptic transmission

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• synaptic tranmission (1)

  • is the process by which a nerve impulse passes through the synaptic cleft (a microscopic gap beween neurons) from one neuron (pre-synaptic neuron) to another (post synaptic neuron)
• synaptic tranmission (2)

  • stimulation by nerve impulses (action potential) causes neurotranmitters (brain chemicals) to be released from the synaptic vesicles (sacs on the end of axon of nerve cell) in the presynaptic terminal through a process called exocytosis (materials are exported out of the cell via secreetory vesicles)
• synaptic tranmission (3)

  • the neurotransmitter diffuses across the gap between the presynaptic cell and the post synaptic cell.
  • it binds to specialised receptors on the surface of the cell (post synaptic receptors sites) that recognise it and are activated by it.
  • recpetor molecules produce either excitatory (depolarisation) or inhibitory (hyperpolarisation) effects on the post synaptic neuron