The Synapse and Neurotransmitters

Flashcards about the synapse and neurotransmitters.

Synapse

The point where the synaptic end bulb of a neuron comes very close to another neuron, muscle, or gland.

Synaptic Cleft

The incredibly small gap between the synaptic end bulb and the adjacent neuron, muscle, or gland.

Neurotransmitters

Chemicals that move across the synaptic cleft to transmit information from one neuron to another, a muscle, or a gland.

Presynaptic Neuron

The neuron before the synapse.

Postsynaptic Neuron

The neuron on the other side of the synapse.

Voltage-Gated Calcium Channels

Channels that open in response to a change in membrane potential at the synaptic end bulb, allowing calcium to flood into the cell.

Exocytosis

The process where synaptic vesicles bind with the plasma membrane and release neurotransmitters into the synaptic cleft.

Inhibitory Neurotransmitter

A neurotransmitter that inhibits a postsynaptic neuron by moving the membrane potential further away from the threshold of -55mV.

Excitatory Neurotransmitter

A neurotransmitter that excites a postsynaptic neuron by making the membrane potential less negative and closer to the threshold of -55mV.

Excitatory Graded Potential

Short-lived changes in the membrane potential that make it less negative, increasing the likelihood that the neuron will reach threshold and generate an action potential.

Inhibitory Graded Potential

A short-lived change in membrane potential that makes the membrane potential more negative.

Noradrenaline

An example of a neurotransmitter involved with the fight or flight response.

Acetylcholine

A well-known and well-studied neurotransmitter.

Diffusion

The neurotransmitter is released into the synaptic cleft and diffuses away from that space.

Enzymatic Degradation

Enzymes within the synaptic cleft degrade and break down the neurotransmitter to stop it perpetually stimulating the neuron.

Reuptake

Reabsorption of the neurotransmitter back into the presynaptic neuron for recycling.