Synaptic Physiology

functional unit of the nervous system

carry nerve impulses towards the cell body

carry nerve impulses away from the cell body

form in which the axon terminates; bulbous shape

network of synaptically interconnected neurons

when an AP reaches synaptic ending releasing a neurotransmitter

stacked RER and golgi apparatus

receive information, generate annd integrate the local potential changes

belongs to the initiating neuron; contains neurotransmitters, mitochondria and other cell organelles

receiving neuron; contains receptor sites for neuro transmitters

space between the pre-synaptic neuron and post-synaptic neuron

most pre-synaptic neurons terminate on dendritic spines of the post-synaptic neuron

pre-synaptic neurons terminate on cell body

forms between the axon of presynaptic neuron and axon of post synaptic neuron; regulates the amount of neurotransmitter that is released by another axon terminal

type of synapse that allows the action potential to cross from the membrane of one neuron to the next without the intervention of a neurotransmitter

specialized intercellular tunnel that links together the membranes of the two communicating neurons where they come extremely close at the electrical synapses

6 subunits of connexins mades up

nerve impulses are carried by neurotransmitters

chemical gated ion channels in the membrane of the cell that is receiving the nerve impulse

where terminal branches of motor axon lie

transient depolarization due to increase in membrane's permeability to sodium and potassium

spontaneous release of 1 acetylcholine vesicle; 0.4 mV insufficient to trigger action potential unlike EPP

depolarization of postsynaptic membrane

hyperpolarization of postsynaptic membrane

2 separate inputs that arrive simultaneously

rapid succession of actions potentials in 1 presynaptic cell

location of inhibitory synapses

location of excitatory synapses

permits fine control of firing pattern of spinal motor neuron

increased postsynaptic response due to repeated presynaptic stimulation

a train of strong stimulation will cause post tetanic potentiation increased or longer post synaptic response

more efficient transmission at synapses that are repeatedly stimulated

occurs when a synapse has decreasing response to each successive stimulation, due to prolonged repetitive stimulation

both inhibitory and excitatory; attentiaon, learning, and memory

excitatory chemical that induces physical and mental arousal and elevated mood

originates in the substantia nigra; inhibitory transmitter

inhibit pain pathways in the spinal cord

major excitatory neurotransmitter, vital for forging the links between neurons that are basis of learning and long term memory