Synapses

synaptic knob

end of neurone

synaptic cleft

gap between neurones

cause of calcium to be diffused into synaptic knob

depolarisation by an action potential

presynaptic neurone

neurone before synapse

postsynaptic neurone

neurone after synapse

where neurotransmitters binds to

receptors on postsynaptic membrane

temporal summation

one neurone releases a succession of neurotransmitters

spatial summation

multiple neurones release neurotransmitters

how neurotransmitters are transported across the synaptic cleft

via vesicles

excitatory neurotransmitter

causes another action potential (depolarisation)

inhibitory neurotransmitter

hyper polarisation prevents an action potential from being established

similarities between neuromuscular junction and cholinergic

unidirectional - both have receptors only on the post synaptic membrane