synaptic transmission
Cards (9)
- what is synaptic transmission?
- process by which nerve impulses across synaptic gap from presynaptic neuron to postsynaptic neuron
- only takes a fraction of a second
- what is a synapse?gap between presynaptic neuron and postsynaptic neuron
- what are the synaptic vesicles?
- at end of the axon
- contains neurotransmitters which are released during electrolysis when action potential reaches vesicles
- what is the process of synaptic transmission?
- released neurotransmitter diffuses across gap
- binds to receptor on the surface of specific cells
- receptor molecules produce wither excitatory or inhibitory effects on postsynaptic neuron
- effects are blocked at the synapse by re-uptake. higher rate of re-uptake shortens effect on the postsynaptic nueron
- function of neurotransmitters-chemical messengers-transmit nervous impulses across a synapse to the receptor site
- what are excitatory neurotransmitters?
- on switches
- increase likelihood of neuron firing
- increase the strength of EPSP
- what are inhibitory neurotransmitters?
- off switches
- decrease likelihoof of neuron firing
- calms the mind and body
- briefy outline the process of synaptic transmission
- an action potential stimulates synaptic vesicle to release neurotransmitters (chemical messengers) from the presynaptic neuron
- they diffuse across the synaptic gap and bind to receptors on the surface of the postsynpatic neuron
- excitatory neurotransmitters increase the rate of firing the cell or inhibitatory decrease the rate
- outline the structres and processes involved in synaptic transmission
- action potential reaches the presynpatic stimulating the synaptic vesicles to release either excitatory or inhibatory NTs
- they diffuse across the synaptic gap and bind to receptors on the surface of the postsynaptic neuron
- this either produces EPSP or IPSP making it more or less likely for the cell to fire
- the NTs are then re-uptaked by the presynaptic neurons and recycled for the next use