Most neurons communicate to one another across a chemical synapse. Because the action potential itself cannot propagate across empty space, a different mechanism occurs to carry signals from one neuron to another. When the action potential reaches the axon terminals of the presynaptic neuron it sets off a chain reaction of events. The following 5 images indicate those events. Describe each event. Event 1: Event 2: Event 3: Event 4: Event 5:
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This causes voltage-gated calcium channels to open, allowing an influx of calcium ions into the terminal. $$\textbf{Event 1: Action potential reaches axon terminal}$$ Event 2: The increase in calcium ion concentration inside the axon terminal triggers the fusion Show more…
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Signals move between neurons at synapses. PROCESS: ACTION POTENTIAL TRIGGERS RELEASE OF NEUROTRANSMITTER. 1. Action potential arrives. Na+ and K+ channels. Action potentials. 2. Voltage-gated Ca2+ channels open. Presynaptic membrane (of axon). Synaptic vesicles. 3. Synaptic vesicles release neurotransmitter. 4. Neurotransmitter triggers change in postsynaptic cell potential. Postsynaptic membrane (of dendrite or cell body). 5. Neurotransmitter broken down or released. Synaptic cleft. Neurotransmitter. Neurotransmitters bind to ligand-gated ion channels that cause post-synaptic potentials
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Chemical and electrical synapse are two mechanisms by which signals can be transferred between neurons. Which of the following occurs during chemical synapse? a. Repolarization at the presynaptic membrane b. Calcium influx causes synaptic vesicles to fuse to the membrane c. Neurotransmitters diffuse out of gap junctions d. Neurotransmitters bind to synaptic vesicles
The junction between two communicating neurons is called a _____________; there is a _________ _________ between them across which the impulse must be conveyed. Synaptic transmission it the process by which the impulse in the presynaptic neuron is transmitted across the synaptic cleft to the postsynaptic neuron. When an impulse reaches the synaptic knob of an axon, synaptic __________ release chemicals called __________ into the synaptic _________. These chemicals react with specific receptors on the postsynaptic membrane.
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