MCELLBI C61 Chapter Notes - Chapter 6: Protein Kinase, Cyclic Adenosine Monophosphate, Axon Hillock
Document Summary
Electrical synapse: gap junction, connexins, connexons: build from clusters of proteins that form channels in the membranes of two adjacent cells. Connexins are component proteins that make up connexons. Connexons join together to form an electrical synapse, allowing ions to pass directly from one cell to the next. Fast propagation of membrane potential charges from one cell to another and transfer of small molecules having regulatory functions within cells. Chemical synapse: complex opportunities for additional kinds of regulation. Changes in strength, feedback, and varied effects on different target cells. When the term synapse is used without further qualification, it refers to a chemical synapse. Synaptic vesicle: within the axon terminal are numerous small spheres formed of lipid bilayer membrane. These are synaptic storage vesicles, each filled with several thousand neurotransmitter molecules. Specific proteins in the lipid membrane of vesicles attach some of the vesicles to other proteins in the boundary membrane of axon terminal.