Synaptic transmission

What is synaptic transmission?

The process by which neighbouring neurons communicate with each other by sending chemical messages across the synapse

Step 1

The electrical impulse travels down the axon of a neuron & arrives at the pre-synaptic terminal

Step 2

This creates an action potential which triggers the release of neurotransmitters from the synaptic vesicles

Step 3

Neurotransmitters are released into the synaptic fluid

Step 4

Neurotransmitters diffuse across the synaptic cleft, bind to the receptor sites on the post-synaptic neuron & convert back into an electrical signal

Step 5 (ONLY INCLUDE IF 6 MARKER)

• Summation takes place which is the net sum of negative & positive potentials

• If the net effect on the post-synaptic neuron is inhibitory (negative), then the neuron will be less likely to fire eg GABA

• If the net effect is excitatory (positive), then the neuron will be more likely to fire eg glutamate