What is synapse? And mechanism of nerve impulse travel from one neuron to other through the synapse
Synapse
The microscopic gap/junction between/among the axon of one neuron and the dendrite of another neuron or effectors is called the synapse.Formation of synapse
Continuous neurons are so arranged that the axon endings of the neuron are connected to dendrites of the next neuron. There is no cytoplasmic connections between the two neurons and microscopic gaps are left between them. Each of these contact points/areas is called the synapse.A single neuron may form synapses with many incoming fibers of various neurons.
Nerve impulse through synapse
TWO OR THREE SIMULTANEOUS IMPULSES
A nerve impulse is passed one neuron to other through the synapse, but a single impulse does not necessarily get across the synapse. It may take two or three impulses arriving in rapid succession or perhaps simultaneously. From two or more fibers to originate an impulse in the next neuron.Neurotransmitter
The action potential cannot bounce from one neuron to the next neuron in line; rather the message/signal is conveyed across the synapse in the form of the chemical messenger called neurotransmitter.
Synaptic transmission
- When an impulse reaches a synaptic knob, synaptic vesicles within fuse with the presynaptic membrane, causing the release of neurotransmitter molecules into the synaptic cleft.
- The neurotransmitter molecules bind to receptors on the post-synaptic membrane, triggering an actional potential in the post-synaptic neuron, by causing changes in its permeability, to certain ions.
Neurotransmitters
Neurotransmitters are chemicals which are discharged at the axon ending of the presynaptic neurons, at the synapse.Types of neurotransmitter
Many different types of neurotransmitters are known. These are:- Acetylcholine C7NH16O2+
- Adrenaline C9H13NO3
- Nor-epinephrine C8H11NO3
- Serotonin C10H12N2O
- Dopamine C8H11NO2
Acetylcholine C7NH16O2+
(2-Acetoxy-N,N,N-trimethylethanaminium)
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