BIO310H5 Lecture Notes - Lecture 4: Gap Junction, Electrical Synapse, Neurotransmitter Receptor

60 views5 pages
15 Feb 2016
School
Department
Course

Document Summary

Synapse: is the anatomically specialized junction (15-60nm) between neurons and cells it is the functional contact. Synaptic transmission: the process used by neurons to relay information from one cell to the next via the synapse. Two types of synapses in the nervous system: electrical (relatively rare) A connexon is composed of six identical connexin proteins (transmembrane proteins). Two hemichannels (or connexons) produce a gap junction or pore through which ions can flow from one cell to the next. Advantage: very fast communication allowing coordination of many cells. Disadvantage: little integration or changing of information: chemical (how most signaling between neurons occurs) Pre-synaptic and post-synaptic membrane is specialized at the synapse. Synaptic cleft 15 60 nm; synaptic vesicles contain neurotransmitter. Arrival of action potential depolarizes terminal opening up voltage-gated calcium channels; calcium enters terminal and leads to exocytosis of nt. Advantage: release of different chemical messengers some excitatory and some inhibitory; allows integration.

Get access

Grade+20% off
$8 USD/m$10 USD/m
Billed $96 USD annually
Grade+
Homework Help
Study Guides
Textbook Solutions
Class Notes
Textbook Notes
Booster Class
40 Verified Answers
Class+
$8 USD/m
Billed $96 USD annually
Class+
Homework Help
Study Guides
Textbook Solutions
Class Notes
Textbook Notes
Booster Class
30 Verified Answers

Related textbook solutions

Related Documents

Related Questions