MEDI111 Lecture Notes - Lecture 10: Voltage-Dependent Calcium Channel, Axon Terminal, Gap Junction
6 Aug 2018
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Document Summary
The synapse: a junction that mediates information transfer from one neuron to, another neuron, effector cell, presynaptic neuron, conducts impulses towards synapse, postsynaptic neuron, transmits impulses away from the synapse. Less common than chemical synapses: neurons are electrically couples (joined by gap junction, communication is very rapid, synchronises activity of interconnected neurons. E. g. brain regions that control rapid eye movements. Within a few milliseconds, neurotransmitter effect is terminated. Remaining neurotramistters in cleft are: degraded by enzymes extracellular fluid destroys enzymes, reuptake by axon terminal, diffused away from the synaptic cleft. Brain regions: cerebral cortex outer covering of cerebrum, diencephalon deep part of brain, cerebellum sits in posterior cranial fossa, brainstem bottom of brain. Cerebral cortex: thin (2-4mm) superficial layer of gray matter, each hemisphere connects to contralateral side of the body, site of consciousness awareness, sensory perception, voluntary motor initiation, communication, memory storage, understanding.
