24 Questions
What triggers the opening of Ca2+ voltage-gated channels at the pre-synaptic ending?
Arrival of action potential
What causes vesicles containing neurotransmitter to fuse to the membrane at the pre-synaptic ending?
Influx of Ca2+
What happens when neurotransmitters bind to receptors on the post-synaptic membrane?
Causes action potential to continue in post-synaptic nerve
Which process involves the breakdown of neurotransmitters by releasing enzymes into the synaptic cleft?
Removal of neurotransmitters
What determines the direction of the movement of ions during the reversal potentials in the endplate?
Membrane potential
What is the role of EPSPs in regulating the post-synaptic potential?
Sum to generate depolarisation
What is the function of IPSPs in generating the post-synaptic potential?
Sum to generate hyperpolarisation
What is the knee jerk reflex made up of?
Excitation of quad muscle and inhibition of hamstring
What is the role of astrocytes in the removal of neurotransmitters?
Uptake into astrocytes
In the context of the reversal potential, what happens if the membrane potential is more positive?
More K+ will move out than Na+ moving in
What determines whether a neurotransmitter is excitatory or inhibitory?
Reversal potential
What is the function of EPSPs in generating the post-synaptic potential?
Sum to generate depolarisation
What is the primary effect of IPSPs?
Sum to generate hyperpolarisation
What is the knee jerk reflex made up of?
Excitation of quad muscle and inhibition of hamstring
What causes vesicles containing neurotransmitter to fuse to the membrane at the pre-synaptic ending?
Influx of Ca2+
What are the 3 different types of removal of neurotransmitters?
Uptake into astrocytes, breakdown of NT by releasing enzymes, diffusion out at synaptic cleft
What is the primary effect of an IPSP?
Generate hyperpolarization
In the context of reversal potentials, what happens if the membrane potential is more positive?
More K+ will move out than Na+ moving in
What triggers the opening of Ca2+ voltage-gated channels at the pre-synaptic ending?
Arrival of action potential
What determines whether a neurotransmitter is excitatory or inhibitory?
Effect on the post-synaptic membrane potential
What is the function of EPSPs in generating the post-synaptic potential?
Sum to generate depolarization
What is the role of astrocytes in the removal of neurotransmitters?
Uptake of neurotransmitters
What causes vesicles containing neurotransmitter to fuse to the membrane at the pre-synaptic ending?
Influx of Ca2+ into the ending
What is the knee jerk reflex made up of?
Excitation of quad muscle and inhibition of hamstring
Study Notes
Neurotransmission
- The opening of Ca2+ voltage-gated channels at the pre-synaptic ending is triggered by an action potential.
- Vesicles containing neurotransmitter fuse to the membrane at the pre-synaptic ending due to an increase in Ca2+ concentrations.
- When neurotransmitters bind to receptors on the post-synaptic membrane, they can either excite or inhibit the post-synaptic neuron.
Neurotransmitter Removal
- Neurotransmitters can be removed through three mechanisms: reuptake, enzymatic degradation, and diffusion.
- Astrocytes play a role in the removal of neurotransmitters from the synaptic cleft.
Post-Synaptic Potentials
- EPSPs (Excitatory Post-Synaptic Potentials) regulate the post-synaptic potential by making it more positive, increasing the likelihood of an action potential.
- IPSPs (Inhibitory Post-Synaptic Potentials) generate the post-synaptic potential by making it more negative, decreasing the likelihood of an action potential.
- The primary effect of EPSPs is to excite the post-synaptic neuron, while the primary effect of IPSPs is to inhibit it.
Reflexes
- The knee jerk reflex is made up of a sensory neuron, an integrating neuron, and a motor neuron.
Reversal Potentials
- If the membrane potential is more positive than the reversal potential, the direction of ion movement is reversed.
- The direction of ion movement during reversal potentials is determined by the membrane potential relative to the reversal potential.
- Whether a neurotransmitter is excitatory or inhibitory is determined by its effect on the post-synaptic potential.
Test your knowledge of synaptic transmission and inhibition with this quiz. Explore the process of how synapses work, from the arrival of an action potential to the diffusion of neurotransmitters and their binding to receptors. Gain a deeper understanding of the steps involved in synaptic transmission.
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