Anatomy of a Synapse

Nerve interaction with muscle. Ach elicits the muscle to contract

Neuromuscular junction

2 places where synapses occurs

Neuron and a neuron (synaptic transmission) neuron and a muscle (Neuromuscular junction)

Chemical that an axon end secretes to stimulate a muscle fiber or a neuron to fire an action potential, stored in a synaptic vesicle. Synthesized in soma, sent down axon to axon terminal.

Neurotransmitter

Chemical used to communicate with the post synaptic neuron. 2 types. 1. One that makes an action potential. 2. Ones that do not make an action potential

Neurotransmitters, stimulate, non-stimulate

Second neuron, receives info from the first neuron

Postsynaptic neuron

First neuron, axon terminal, transfers information to next neuron.

Presynaptic neuron

The region of contact where a neuron transfers information, nerve impulse, to another neuron. *Remember: Neurons transfer info TO and FROM the brain. Dendrites receive info, axon sends info. Neurons connect axon to dendrite.*

Synapses

Space between the first and second neuron, filled with matrix, helps neurons adhere to each other.

Synaptic cleft

In the terminal axon, small membrane-enclosed spheres. Stores neurotransmitters

Synaptic vesicles

Synapse at dendrite

Axondendritic Synapse

Ions that you need to know

Calcium (Ca2+) (in extracellular fluid) Sodium (Na+) (Mainly in extracellular fluid) (which is the synaptic cleft) Potassium (K+) (Mainly inside cytoplasm) Chloride (Cl-) (In the extracellular fluid which is the synaptic cleft)

On sides of axon terminal

Channels