Synapse and action potential

What carries the action potential down the axon?

Action potential propagation

What prevents an action potential from traveling backward?

Refractory period

What is conduction called when impulse jumps node to node?

Saltatory conduction

What structure allows saltatory conduction?

Nodes of Ranvier

What makes conduction faster in myelinated axons?

Myelin insulation

What affects conduction speed in myelinated axons?

Myelin thickness

What axons conduct fastest?

Large-diameter axons

What type of fibers are large and myelinated?

Type A fibers

What type of fibers are medium and lightly myelinated?

Type B fibers

What type of fibers are small and unmyelinated?

Type C fibers

What is the junction between two communicating cells?

Synapse

What cell sends signal at synapse?

Presynaptic cell

What cell receives signal at synapse?

Postsynaptic cell

What type of synapse uses gap junctions?

Electrical synapse

What protein channels connect electrical synapses?

Connexons

Where are electrical synapses commonly found?

Cardiac muscle and smooth muscle

What type of synapse uses neurotransmitters?

Chemical synapse

What are the three parts of a chemical synapse?

Presynaptic terminal synaptic cleft postsynaptic membrane

What stores neurotransmitters before release?

Synaptic vesicles

What ion enters presynaptic terminal to trigger neurotransmitter release?

Calcium

What neurotransmitter opens sodium channels in postsynaptic membrane?

Acetylcholine

What enzyme breaks down acetylcholine?

Acetylcholinesterase

What are acetylcholine breakdown products?

Acetic acid and choline

What enzyme breaks down norepinephrine?

Monoamine oxidase

What are chemicals that modify neurotransmitter release?

Neuromodulators

What type of synapse is between one axon and another axon?

Axoaxonic synapse

What postsynaptic potential causes depolarization?

Excitatory postsynaptic potential

What postsynaptic potential causes hyperpolarization?

Inhibitory postsynaptic potential

What increases chance of action potential in postsynaptic cell?

Excitatory postsynaptic potential

What decreases chance of action potential in postsynaptic cell?

Inhibitory postsynaptic potential

What decreases neurotransmitter release at presynaptic terminal?

Presynaptic inhibition

What increases neurotransmitter release at presynaptic terminal?

Presynaptic facilitation

What pathway has many neurons converging onto fewer neurons?

Convergent pathway

What pathway has one neuron branching to many neurons?

Divergent pathway

What circuit repeats stimulation in a loop?

Oscillating circuit

What is the synapse between a motor neuron and skeletal muscle?

Neuromuscular junctio