AO1

• Synaptic transmission is the process for transmitting electrical impulses from one neuron to another.
• Synaptic transmission is an electrical and chemical process.
• step 1

  Electrical impulse travels down the neuron (action potential)
• step 2

  This prompts the release of neurotransmitters at the pre-synaptic terminal.
• step 3

  These neurotransmitters are then released across the synaptic cleft.
• step 4

  The dendrites in the post-synaptic receptor take up the neurotransmitters and convert them into electrical impulses.
• step 5

  Neurotransmitters have either an excitatory or inhibitory effect on the neighboring neuron.
• This process is repeated until the electrical impulse reaches the target organ.
• Excitatory neurotransmitters make a nerve impulse more likely to be triggered eg dopamine or serotonin which produce states of excitement/activity in the nervous system and in our mental state/behaviour.
• Inhibitory neurotransmitters make a nerve impulse less likely to be triggered eg GABA calms activity in the nervous system and produces states of relaxation (as with anti-anxiety medication such as Valium).