Electrical Synapses

significance of sea slug

electrical synapses to make syncrhonous firing of neurons, sensory neurons to stim motor neurons

what is homomeric and heteromeric

homomeric refers to the hemichannel as a whole, and if they are all the same, heteromeric is if the hemichannel is different amongst itself

what is heterotypic and homotypic

if the gap junction channel is the same amongst itself it is homotypic, like same pattern, if it is different amongst itself then it is heterotypic

describe the gap junction channel

pore size of the gap junction varies, most channels have a large pore size, and ions are able to pass through it easily

small molecules can also pass through it

there are usually nonrectifying molecules pass through in both directions (homotypic), heterotypic however pass molecules in one direction over the other

describe electrical synapses

presynaptic cell usually gets depolarizing stim which causes postsynap cell to depolarize, gap junctions transfer without need of ap, typically postsyn cell only makes spikelet, but shorter time than chemical synapse

describe the mammilian cortex and its influence rhythmic activity

mamillian cortex has rhythmic activity for every state of behavior, fast = sensory perception, motor preformance and memory consolid. inhibitory interneurons fire to make gamma oscillations = synched by electrical synapses

what is the inferior olivary nucleus responsivle for

responsbile for coordination and balance, as it connects to purkinje cells as they are all both spontaneous and electrical synapses

neuroendocrine functions

neurons synchronized by electrical synapses = signal release of hormones

electrical synapses in retina

photoreceptors - rods and cones connected by electrical synapses = summation in dark conditions

horizontal cells coupled = enhances contour

homoclleular and heteroceullar coupling = between the same eye and other eye

electrical synapses in olfactory bulb

odorants bind to cilia then go to second group of neurons = mitral cells and cluster together to form glomeruli, mitral cells synch together = underlie perception and discrimination of odorants, but are inhibited by inhibitory granule cells = negative feedback

electrical synapses

help in development, synchronizing activity and help regulation synapse elimination