PSYC 211 Lecture Notes - Lecture 5: Axon Terminal, Extracellular Fluid, Rate Equation

• School: McGill University
• Department: Psychology
• Course: PSYC 211
• Professor: Yogita Chaudasama

Document Summary

Na+ channels open, na+ begins to enter cell. K+ channels open, k+ begins to leave the cell. Na+ channels become refractory, no more na+ enters the cell. K+ continues to leave the cell which causes the membrane potential to return to resting level. They attach to the presynaptic membrane and release neurotransmitters into the synaptic cleft. The action potential will cause a release of neurotransmitter into the synaptic cleft. Synaptic cleft the space between the pre-synaptic and postsynaptic membranes. Presynaptic membrane the membrane of the terminal button (the sending cell). This is where neurotransmitters are released (particularly at the base) Postsynaptic membrane the membrane of the receiving cell either on the soma or the dendrite. Whens sodium channels are opened, the influx of na+ causes a depolarization excitatory postsynaptic potential (epsp) if potassium channels open, k+ leaves the cell. Its efflux causes a hyperpolarization inhibitory postsynaptic potential (ipsp)