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    Synapses: Mechanism of Synaptic Transmission

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    Habi Jabi
    Synapses are junctions between neurons where signals are transmitted chemically or electrically. Chemical synapses use neurotransmitters released into the synaptic cleft to transmit signals, while electrical synapses allow direct electrical transmission between neurons. The process of synaptic transmission involves neurotransmitters being synthesized, stored in vesicles, released into the synaptic cleft upon an action potential, binding to postsynaptic receptors, and then either reuptaken or diffused away.

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    Synapses: Mechanism of Synaptic Transmission

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    Habi Jabi
    89 views3 pages
    Synapses are junctions between neurons where signals are transmitted chemically or electrically. Chemical synapses use neurotransmitters released into the synaptic cleft to transmit signals, while electrical synapses allow direct electrical transmission between neurons. The process of synaptic transmission involves neurotransmitters being synthesized, stored in vesicles, released into the synaptic cleft upon an action potential, binding to postsynaptic receptors, and then either reuptaken or diffused away.

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    Synapses

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    Synapses are junctions between neurons where signals are transmitted chemically or electrically. Chemical synapses use neurotransmitters released into the synaptic cleft to transmit signals, while electrical synapses allow direct electrical transmission between neurons. The process of synaptic transmission involves neurotransmitters being synthesized, stored in vesicles, released into the synaptic cleft upon an action potential, binding to postsynaptic receptors, and then either reuptaken or diffused away.

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    © All Rights Reserved
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    Download as docx, pdf, or txt
    89 views3 pages

    Synapses: Mechanism of Synaptic Transmission

    Uploaded by

    Habi Jabi
    Synapses are junctions between neurons where signals are transmitted chemically or electrically. Chemical synapses use neurotransmitters released into the synaptic cleft to transmit signals, while electrical synapses allow direct electrical transmission between neurons. The process of synaptic transmission involves neurotransmitters being synthesized, stored in vesicles, released into the synaptic cleft upon an action potential, binding to postsynaptic receptors, and then either reuptaken or diffused away.

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    Synapses

    Synapse is the junction between two neurons where one neuron ends
    and other neuron begins. It is the functional continuity between two
    neurons.

    There are two major types of synapses: (1) the chemical synapse and
    (2) the electrical synapse.

    Chemical synapse: Almost all the synapses used for signal transmission
    in the central nervous system of the human being are chemical
    synapses.

    Electrical synapse: Electrical synapses, in contrast, are characterized by


    direct open fluid channels that conduct electricity from one cell to the
    next.

    Mechanism of synaptic transmission


    Most neurons do not communicate directly with one another due to
    the space that separate them, the synaptic cleft. A process called
    synaptic transmission is necessary for these neurons to communicate.

    The process of synaptic transmission involves four steps:

    I. Synthesis and Storage

    II. Neurotransmitter Release

    III. Neurotransmitter Postsynaptic Receptors

    IV. Inactivation of Neurotransmitters


    I. Synthesis and Storage
    Neurotransmitters are divided into two categories:

    (1) Small-molecule neurotransmitters

    (2) Neuropeptides.

    Small-molecule neurotransmitters are processed within the axon


    terminal. An example of this is acetylcholine (Ach), which is particularly
    known as an excitatory neurotransmitter. On the other hand,
    neuropeptides are larger than small-molecule neurotransmitters and
    act as messengers. Because of their large size, they are made inside the
    neuronal cell body.

    Unlike the small-molecule neurotransmitters, the synthesis of


    neuropeptides requires more effort and is likened to that of the
    synthesis of an ordinary secretory protein. The first step in
    neuropeptide synthesis is DNA transcription, followed by messenger
    RNA or mRNA construction and travel, and then translation.

    After the synthesis of neurotransmitters, they are stored in vesicles


    located at the axon terminal. While in storage, they await the arrival of
    an action potential, which is the triggering factor for their release.

    II. Neurotransmitter Release


    The terminal of a neuron serves as the storage of vesicles containing
    neurotransmitter when at rest. These vesicles are strategically located
    in active zones, places found at the pre-synaptic membrane. Once an
    action potential arrives at the pre-synaptic neuron terminal, there
    would be a considerable influx of calcium ions, causing the
    neurotransmitter to be released from the vesicles.

    III. Neurotransmitter Postsynaptic Receptors


    Neurotransmitters released into the synaptic cleft go into an interaction
    at the postsynaptic cell together with receptor proteins. In order to
    interact, these neurotransmitters must be recognized by postsynaptic
    receptors first. As a result, membrane ionic channels open, and
    another action potential is initiated. In turn, this leads to
    depolarization.

    IV. Inactivation of Neurotransmitters


    Some neurotransmitters are sent back to the synaptic cleft once they
    have been identified by the appropriate post-synaptic receptors.
    Special transporter proteins transfer these neurotransmitters back to
    the pre-synaptic cells. Then, they undergo re-packaging and re-storage
    in a vesicle until it is needed once again for chemical signaling. Other
    neurotransmitters simply diffuse away.

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