1 Neurotransmitters open ion channels in the postsynaptic cell causing the cell membrane to depolarize and an excitatory postsynaptic potential (EPSP) is produced in the next nerve cell. 2 Neurotransmitters diffuse across the synaptic cleft and bind to receptors embedded in the postsynaptic cell membrane. 3 Ligand-gated potassium channels open resulting in depolarization of the membrane 4 Voltage-gated Ca2+ channels open. Ca2+ moves across the cell membrane and into the cytosol. 5 Intracellular Ca2+ binds to vesicles and triggers the release of neurotransmitters into the synaptic cleft via exocytosis. Neurotransmitter molecules are removed from the synaptic cleft. They are either taken up by the presynaptic cell or are degraded by enzymes.
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When inhibitory neurotransmitters bind to their receptors in the post-synaptic cell, positively charged ions flow through the ligand-gated ion channel increasing the chance that an action potential can be fired in the post-synaptic cell negatively charged ions flow through the ligand-gated ion channel decreasing the chance that an action potential can be fired in the post-synaptic cell positively charged ions flow through the stress-gated ion channel increasing the chance that an action potential can be fired in the post-synaptic cell synaptic vesicles fuse with the plasma membrane releasing more neurotransmitter no response is typically detected
Dr. Anas S.
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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Transmission of a nerve impulse to its target cell requires: a. endocytosis of neurotransmitters by excitatory presynaptic vesicles. b. the release of thousands of molecules of neurotransmitter stored in the postsynaptic cell into the synaptic cleft. c. $\mathrm{Ca}^{2+}$ ions to diffuse through voltage-gated $\mathrm{Ca}^{2+}$ channels. d. a fall in $\mathrm{Ca}^{2+}$ in the cytoplasm to trigger a protein that causes the presynaptic vesicle to fuse with the plasma membrane. e. an action potential to open the $\mathrm{Ca}^{2+}$ gates so that $\mathrm{Ca}^{2+}$ ions, in higher concentration outside the axon, can flow back into the cytoplasm of the neuron.
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