> synapse: spaces between neurons, or between neurons and effectors

> vesicles containing chemical neurotransmitters are located at the end of neuron axons

Electrical Signals:

> electrical impulses moving along the axon stimulate the release of neurotransmitters

Chemical Signals:

> neurotransmitters are released from the presynaptic neuron and diffuse across the synaptic cleft

> neurotransmitters reaching the postsynaptic neuron depolarize it’s dendrites

Acetyolcholine and Cholinesterase:

Acetylcholine

> is an excitatory neurotransmitter -> causes depolarization on the postsynaptic neuron by opening Na+ ion channels

Cholinesterase

> destroys acetylcholine free floating and bound to receptors in a synapse

> causes Na+ ion channels to close and repolarization to occur -> neuron can be depolarized again

> not all neurotransmitters may be excitatory, some may be inhibitory -> preventing depolarization

> inhibitory neurotransmitters open more K+ gates, making the inside of the neuron even more negative; hyperpolarized

Summation

> the effect produced by the accumulation of neurotransmitters from two or more neurons

Excitatory and Inhibitory Neurotransmitters:

> both are used by your body to coordinate complex bodily functions

Example: throwing a ball

> excitatory neurotransmitters contract your triceps and inhibitory neurotransmitters relax your bicep, this prevents both muscles from pull against each another

Example: listening to a biology lecture

> excitatory neurotransmitters focus the lecture skills (listening, writing, eye movement, etc)

> inhibitory neurotransmitters suppress non essential information (temperature, pressure from clothes, etc)

> both types of neurotransmitters allow your CNS to prioritize information

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Syeda Sonia Ali
Syeda Sonia Ali
10 years ago

Can you please describe the role of serotonin transporters (SERT)?

Latricia
Latricia
12 years ago

It’s about time smoonee wrote about this.