Scribd
Upload
66 views

BBS1-FL-K5 2020 Sinaps

The document summarizes key information about synapses and neural circuits. It describes the structure and function of chemical and electrical synapses, including the events that occur at chemical synapses during neurotransmission. It also outlines different types of neural circuits, such as simple series, converging, diverging, reverberating, and parallel circuits.

Uploaded by

Vania Ilmi
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PPTX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
66 views

BBS1-FL-K5 2020 Sinaps

The document summarizes key information about synapses and neural circuits. It describes the structure and function of chemical and electrical synapses, including the events that occur at chemical synapses during neurotransmission. It also outlines different types of neural circuits, such as simple series, converging, diverging, reverberating, and parallel circuits.

Uploaded by

Vania Ilmi
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PPTX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
You are on page 1/ 36

Department of Physiology

School of Medicine
University of Sumatera Utara

Synapse
Synapse
• A specialized junction to transmit information
between:
• a nerve fiber and another nerve cell, or
• a nerve fiber and a muscle or gland cell

• Information is passed from one neuron (presynaptic


neuron) to another (postsynaptic neuron)
• Information (mostly) is transmit in one direction only.
Structure of Distal End of Axon

• Telodendria: terminal branches of axon


• allow axon to contact more than one cell or one cell in
several places.

• Axonal terminals = synaptic end bulbs


• contain vesicles of neurotransmitter (or gap junctions)
• Synaptic cleft: space between presynaptic and
postsynaptic membranes.
Types of Synapses

a. based on location:
• neuron-neuron
• neuron-muscle
• neuron-gland
• neuron-vessel

b. based on method of information transfer:


• electrical synapses
• chemical synapses
based on location: neuron-neuron
Synapse Locations: neuron to neuron

• axodentritic = axon (presynaptic) to dendrite


(postsynaptic)
• axosomatic = axon (presynaptic) to cell body, or
soma (postsynaptic)
• axoaxonic = axon (presynaptic) to axon or axon
hillock
based on location: neuron-muscle
based on location: neuron-gland
based on location: neuron-vessel
Electrical Synapses

• joined by gap junctions


• cells said to be
“electrically coupled”
• less common type of
synapse, relatively rare
in vertebrates
• Present in visceral
smooth muscle, cardiac
muscle
Electrical Synapses
• very rapid transmission
• excitatory only & allow bi-
directional flow
• which enables a nerve
impulse (or action potential)
arriving at the presynaptic
nerve ending to pass to the
next cell.
Chemical synapses

• The presynaptic and postsynaptic cells are physically


separated by a minute gap (the synaptic cleft), which
prevents electrical transmission of AP to the
postsynaptic cell.

• Transmission is accomplished by the release of a


chemical neurotransmitter substance from the
presynaptic fiber.
Chemical synapses

• Axonal terminal of presynaptic neuron releases


neurotransmitter (NT) from synaptic vesicle into
synaptic cleft
• Postsynaptic membrane (of neuron or effector) contains
receptors that recognize NT
• Slower than electrical
• Unidirectional (one way)

• May result in inhibitory or excitatory effects

• found at:
– most neuron-neuron synapses
– neuroeffector junctions
Events at Chemical Synapse
1. impulse within presynaptic neuron reaches axon terminal,
depolarizes membrane  voltage-gated Na+ and Ca2+ channels
open in presynaptic membrane  Ca2+ enters cell
Events at Chemical Synapse

2. entrance of Ca2+ into cell signals synaptic vesicles to fuse with


axonal plasma membrane
 for release of NT into synaptic cleft (exocytosis)
Events at Chemical Synapse

3. NT diffuses across synaptic cleft

4. NT binds to its specific receptor on postsynpatic


membrane
Events at Chemical Synapse

5. Ion channels open in postsynpatic membrane allowing


ion movement
Postsynaptic Potentials

• Transmission from presynaptic to postsynaptic


neuron  excitatory or inhibitory
depending on type of NT released

• excitatory postsynaptic potentials (EPSPs)

• inhibitory postsynaptic potentials (IPSPs)


Reaction of receptors to NTs is graded;

depends on number of receptors involved

depends on amount of NT released


Excitatory Synapses and EPSPs

• Binding of NT  causes opening of


membrane channels 
allow both Na+ and K+ to diffuse
across postsynaptic membrane

• because more Na+ enters than K+


leaves  net depolarization(EPSP)

• if EPSP is sufficiently large, may spread to axon hillock


leading to AP
Inhibitory Synapses and IPSPs

• Binding of NT  causes opening


of membrane channels 
allow K+ to diffuse out of or Cl- to
diffuse in cell, , or both
 causes hyperpolarization
Modification of Synaptic Events:
Temporal summation

• 1 or more presynaptic neurons fire before 1st EPSP fades


• if summed EPSP is large enough, then get AP
Modification of Synaptic Events:
Spatial summation

• large number of axonal terminals from neuron(s)


fire at the same time
• if EPSP is large enough, then get AP
Spatial Summation EPSP and IPSP

• IPSP and EPSP have opposite effects


Synaptic Potentiation and Facilitation
• Synaptic potentiation:
presynaptic axonal terminal received repeated (in short period of
time) or continuous stimulation  will contains more intracellular
Ca2+ than normal  triggers greater release of NT
produces larger EPSP in postsynaptic cell
(important in memory and learning processes)

• Synaptic facilitation:
• Activity at axoaxonal synapse increases amount of
neurotransmitter released when action potential arrives
• Enhances and prolongs the effect of the neurotransmitter
postsynaptic neuron that has been partially depolarized is more
likely to undergo AP
Figure 12.24
Organization of Neurons:
Types of Circuits

• Simple series circuit


• Converging circuit
• Diverging circuit
• Reverberating (oscillatory) circuit
• Parallel after-discharge circuit
Simple Series Circuit

• one presynaptic neuron goes to one postsynaptic neuron;


e.g., simple reflex arc

presynaptic

synapses

postsynaptic
Converging Circuits

• Several presynaptic axonal


terminals go to single
postsynaptic neuron

• input from several pathways


produces single result

• e.g.:
• voluntary vs sub- conscious
breathing
• standing vs moving
Diverging Circuits

One presynaptic neuron  several postsynaptic neurons

e.g.:
• single motor neuron from • single sensory neuron to
brain may go to several CNS may be part of reflex
motor neurons in spinal but also send info to the
cord (thence to several brain
muscle fibers)
Reverberating (Oscillatory) Circuits
Chain of neurons with synapses to neurons earlier in
circuit
• sleep-wake cycle
• breathing
• possibly short-term memory
• some motor activities (arm swinging)
Parallel After-Discharge Circuit
• one presynaptic neuron fires to several postsynaptic
neurons arranged in parallel that eventually result in
common output
• many different responses occur simultaneously
• may be involved in problem solving

You might also like