Synaptic Transmission

2 types of interneuronal communication

Electrical and chemical synapses.

Which synapse is more powerful?

Chemical Synapses are more powerful.

What makes up electrical synapses?

Gap junctions. They are cell-to-cell junctions with no extracellular release.

What forms gap junction channels?

Connexins form those channels.

Describe the process of the synapse being cell to cell.

Due to them being cell to cell, this allows small molecules to flow directly from one neuron to another.

What do gap junctions in electrical synapses induce?

They induce post-synaptic potential.

What is a postsynaptic potential?

The action potential in the presynaptic membrane (Cell 1) results in a change in membrane potential in the postsynaptic membrane (Cell 2). Usually nothing large, like a change from -65 to -64 mV.

What are some cool facts about electrical synapses?

They are bidirectional, so you can flip the pre- and postsynaptic cells’ roles. They are also very fast and happen almost immediately.

How do the 2 cells work in regard to timing in electrical synapses?

Electrical synapses facilitate synchrony; they work in unison, with their action potentials occurring simultaneously.

What’s a good real-world example of electrical synapse synchrony?

Diaphram/lung inhilation.