Electrical vs Chemical Synapse Explained (Gap Junctions) | Clip

The site of signal transmission in neurons is called the __________.

synapse.

The cell sending the signal at the synapse is referred to as the __________.

presynaptic cell.

The space between two communicating neurons is called the __________.

synaptic cleft.

There are two main types of synapses: __________ and __________.

chemical and electrical synapses.

Electrical synapses are characterized by __________ between the presynaptic and postsynaptic cells.

cytoplasmic continuity.

Gap junction channels are composed of __________ connexins.

twelve.

The continuous cytoplasm through gap junctions allows signaling to be __________.

bi-directional.

Chemical synapses have a synaptic cleft that is __________ times larger than electrical synapses.

5 to 10.

Neurotransmitters are synthesized and packaged into __________ at the axon terminal.

synaptic vesicles.

The region in the presynaptic cell where neurotransmitters are ready to be released is called the __________.

active zone.

The opening of voltage-gated __________ channels allows ______to enter the active zone.

calcium

The entry of calcium into the active zone causes the process of __________, leading to neurotransmitter release.

exocytosis.

Neurotransmitters diffuse in the cleft and bind to receptors on the postsynaptic cell found in the __________.

postsynaptic density.

The two main types of receptors for neurotransmitters can bind to __________ and __________ receptors.

ionotropic and metabotropic.

Ionotropic receptors are __________ channels that allow ions to flow in or out of the cell.

ligand-gated.

Metabotropic receptors produce __________ messengers like cAMP when stimulated or

second

Ionotropic receptors provide a rapid indirect path for __________ and __________.

ionic efflux and influx.

The actions of ionotropic receptors usually last for a __________ period.

brief.

Metabotropic receptors amplify and modulate signals through second messengers, leading to longer-lasting effects than __________ receptors.

ionotropic.

Chemical synapse transmission is typically __________, while electrical synapse transmission can be bi-directional.

unidirectional.

There is a delay of about __________ milliseconds in chemical synapse transmission transfer due to various steps involved.

one.

In the cardiac muscles, electrical synapses facilitate __________ contractions.

rhythmic.

The small delay in action potential propagation through cardiac muscle cells is due to __________ between the cells.

intercalated discs

The large non-specific pore created by connexins allows current and __________ signals to flow through.

metabolic

The diverse group of transmembrane proteins forming gap junctions are known as __________.

connexins

Chemical synapses have a notable delay compared to __________ synapses.

electrical

Signal transmission in chemical synapses occurs through the release of __________ into the synaptic cleft.

neurotransmitters

The process of neurotransmitter release requires the fusion of vesicles with the __________ membrane.

presynaptic

The binding of neurotransmitters to receptors can lead to hyperpolarization or __________ of the postsynaptic cell.

depolarization

The effect of metabotropic receptors on ion channels involves __________ of those channels.

phosphorylation

Research primarily focuses on __________ synapses since they are more commonly utilized in the body than electrical synapses.

chemical

The connection between motor neurons and skeletal muscles can provide insights on how __________ synapses function.

chemical