Get premium membership and access questions with answers, video lessons as well as revision papers.

Discuss the structure and Function of Synapses.

Discuss the structure and Function of Synapses.

Answers

Neurons communicate with each other and with other cells of the body, such as muscles and secretory cells. Through the generation of action potential and its rapid conduction down the axon to the pre-synaptic terminal, the pre-synaptic terminal can be notified to initiate the transfer of information to other cells.

Such communication occurs between cells rapidly at specialized junctions called synapses. Synaptic transmission between cells can either be electrical or chemical. Electrical transmission involves ionic current flows directly between pre-synaptic cells and post-synaptic cells. But synaptic transmission in mammals is more frequently mediated by a chemical messenger released from pre-synaptic terminals on arrival of the action potential.

This chemical messenger diffuses rapidly to the post synaptic cell membrane where it binds with receptors. This leads to the genesis of an action potential across the adjacent cell.



At the nerve muscle junction this neurotransmitter is most often acetylcholine. Acetylcholine binds with its receptor only briefly, and when free, it is destroyed by the enzyme acetycholinesterase. This enzyme, found in the basal lamina of synaptic cleft, inactivates acetylcholine by breaking it down to acetic acid and choline molecules.

The choline can then be transported back into pre-synaptic terminal by a transporter protein in the terminal membrane and recycled in acetycholine synthesis. The whole process repeats itself when another action potential arrives

---

marto answered the question on April 16, 2019 at 07:30

Next: State the differences between desktop computers and laptop computers.
Previous: List FIVE advantages of a computerized system over a manual system.

View More Animal Physiology Questions and Answers | Return to Questions Index

Related Questions

• Discuss with aid of a diagram the structure and Functions of Neurons.(Solved)
  

  Discuss with aid of a diagram the structure and Functions of Neurons.

  Date posted: April 16, 2019.  Answers (1)

• Briefly discuss the The mammalian nervous system(Solved)
  

  Briefly discuss the The mammalian nervous system

  Date posted: April 16, 2019.  Answers (1)

• List the functional Organization of The Mammalian Nervous System.(Solved)
  

  List the functional Organization of The Mammalian Nervous System

  Date posted: April 16, 2019.  Answers (1)

• Briefly discuss what will happen to the body when temperatures become too cold.(Solved)
  

  Briefly discuss what will happen to the body when temperatures become too cold

  Date posted: April 16, 2019.  Answers (1)

• Discuss thermoregulation in mammals.(Solved)
  

  Discuss thermoregulation in mammals.

  Date posted: April 16, 2019.  Answers (1)

• Explain the Concept of Negative Feedback .(Solved)
  

  Explain the Concept of Negative Feedback

  Date posted: April 16, 2019.  Answers (1)

• Discuss the Functional Systems of the Body and their Contribution to Homeostasis.(Solved)
  

  Discuss the Functional Systems of the Body and their Contribution to Homeostasis.

  Date posted: April 16, 2019.  Answers (1)

• Define Homeostasis(Solved)
  

  Define Homeostasis.

  Date posted: April 16, 2019.  Answers (1)

• Describe the Principle of Homeostasis.(Solved)
  

  Describe the Principle of Homeostasis.

  Date posted: February 26, 2019.  Answers (1)

• Explain the basic Carbohydrate Metabolism in Mammals.(Solved)
  

  Explain the basic Carbohydrate Metabolism in Mammals.

  Date posted: February 25, 2019.  Answers (1)

• Explain the basic Protein and Amino acid Metabolism in Mammals.(Solved)
  

  Explain the basic Protein and Amino acid Metabolism in Mammals.

  Date posted: February 25, 2019.  Answers (1)

• Explain the basic Lipid Metabolism in Mammals.(Solved)
  

  Explain the basic Lipid Metabolism in Mammals.

  Date posted: February 25, 2019.  Answers (1)

• How are Triglycerides Used to Provide Energy?(Solved)
  

  How are Triglycerides Used to Provide Energy?

  Date posted: February 25, 2019.  Answers (1)

• How do Ruminants use Volatile Fatty Acids as Energy Source?(Solved)
  

  How do Ruminants use Volatile Fatty Acids as Energy Source?

  Date posted: February 25, 2019.  Answers (1)

• Describe the digestion process in fish(Solved)
  

  Describe the digestion process in fish.

  Date posted: February 25, 2019.  Answers (1)

• With an aid of a diagram describe the avian digestive system.(Solved)
  

  With an aid of a diagram describe the avian digestive system.

  Date posted: February 25, 2019.  Answers (1)

• Explain what happens during; i)Inhalation. ii)Exhalation.(Solved)
  

  Explain what happens during;
  i)Inhalation.
  ii)Exhalation.

  Date posted: February 25, 2019.  Answers (1)

• State the FOUR main Functions of lymphatic System.(Solved)
  

  State the FOUR main Functions of lymphatic System.

  Date posted: February 25, 2019.  Answers (1)

• State and explain the two types of muscle contraction.(Solved)
  

  State and explain the two types of muscle contraction.

  Date posted: February 25, 2019.  Answers (1)

• List FOUR characteristics of a muscle.(Solved)
  

  List FOUR characteristics of a muscle.

  Date posted: February 25, 2019.  Answers (1)