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Questions and Answers
What is a synapse?
What is a synapse?
- Tiny spaces between neurons (correct)
- The main cell body of a neuron
- A large gap between neurons
- A part of the neuron structure
What is the synaptic gap?
What is the synaptic gap?
The gaps between neurons.
What does a presynaptic (sending) neuron do?
What does a presynaptic (sending) neuron do?
Transmits an electrical impulse across a synaptic cleft by releasing a neurotransmitter.
What is the role of a post-synaptic (receiving) neuron?
What is the role of a post-synaptic (receiving) neuron?
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What are neurotransmitters?
What are neurotransmitters?
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What do vesicles do?
What do vesicles do?
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What are receptors?
What are receptors?
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What do transporters (reuptake pumps) do?
What do transporters (reuptake pumps) do?
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What is reuptake?
What is reuptake?
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Study Notes
Synapse Overview
- Synapse: The tiny junctions between neurons that facilitate communication.
- Synaptic Gap: The spaces separating neurons where neurotransmitter transmission occurs.
Neuron Functions
- Presynaptic Neuron: Sends electrical impulses across the synaptic cleft to the post-synaptic neuron through neurotransmitter release from axon terminals.
- Post-Synaptic Neuron: Receives the electrical impulse at its dendrites or cell body via neurotransmitter binding from the presynaptic neuron.
Neurotransmitter Role
- Neurotransmitters: Chemical messengers stored in vesicles, crucial for transmitting information across synaptic gaps between neurons.
- Vesicles: Small sacs within the neuron’s terminal buttons that hold neurotransmitters until their release is triggered.
Neurotransmitter Interaction
- Receptors: Proteins on the post-synaptic neuron that detect and bind specific neurotransmitters enabling the transmission of the neural signal.
- Transporters (Reuptake Pumps): Structures that reabsorb neurotransmitters that are not utilized during the nerve impulse, maintaining neurotransmitter levels.
Reuptake Process
- Reuptake: The process where excess neurotransmitters are absorbed back into the presynaptic neuron, concluding their role in the transmission of the neural impulse.
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