PSY492H1 Chapter Notes - Chapter 3: Cyclic Adenosine Monophosphate, Excitatory Synapse, Cell Adhesion Molecule
Document Summary
Useful to think of it as a biochemical factory with each component containing molecules needed to accomplish specific functions. The synapse is made up of three components: a presynaptic component a terminal ending of an axon of a sending neuron, a postsynaptic component of the receiving neuron, a synaptic cleft that separates the two primary components. Occupied by the extracellular matrix (ecm) composed of molecules synthesized and secreted by neurons and glial cells, it forms a bridge between pre and postsynaptic neurons, of which the molecules interact with and influence function. Changes to synaptic potential produced by ltp-inducing stimulus result of modifying excitatory synapses synapse whose postsynaptic component is a spiny-like protrusion (dendritic spine) that contains membrane-spanning receptors (glutamate receptors) that response to glutamate. Excitatory synapses are also plastic to be modified when glutamate receptors are activated: second function of psd is to position signaling molecules near glutamate receptors to be activated.
