Functions of Synapses Neurotransmitter (I II)
Functions of Synapses Neurotransmitter (I II)
Answer: . C. The action potentials would stop as they met in the middle. As the two action potentials
moving toward each other both reached the middle of the axon, the two adjacent patches of membrane in
the middle would be in a refractory period, so further propagation of either action potential would be
impossible.
• Anatomical Classification
• (on the Basis of Communication )
1. Axo-Dendritic
2. Axo-Somatic
3. Axo-Axonic
4. Dendro-dendritic (amacrine cells in Eye)
• Physiological Classification:
• (According to Nature)
1. Electrical
2. Chemical
Autapse
A chemical or electrical synapse that forms when the axon of one neuron synapses onto dendrites of the
same neuron.
Functions of Synapses & Neurotransmitter © Prof. Dr.
11
Rashid Mahmood
Anatomical Classification
1. Axo-Dendritic
2. Axo-Somatic
3. Axo-Axonic
4. Dendro-
dendritic
Gap Junctions in
Cardiac &
Smooth
Muscle (& some
parts of CNS)
Components
1. Presynaptic
terminal
f t
e
Cl
t ic 3. Postsynaptic
ap membrane
y n
Typical Anterior Motor
. S
Neuron 2
Functions of Synapses & Neurotransmitter © Prof. Dr.
17
Rashid Mahmood
Assessment
Q. 2:
Write 3
differences
between
chemical
synapse &
electrical
synapse
Answer in next slide
Functions of Synapses & Neurotransmitter © Prof. Dr. Rashid M 18
ahmood
Answer Q. 2: Write 3 differences between
chemical synapse & electrical synapse
1. mode of transmission
2. physical junction not necessary in electrical synapse
3. two-way conduction possible in electrical synapse
Electrical and chemical synapses differ fundamentally in their transmission mechanisms.
A. At electrical synapses, gap junctions between pre- and postsynaptic membranes permit current to
flow passively through intercellular channels. This current flow changes the postsynaptic membrane
potential, initiating (or in some instances inhibiting) the generation of postsynaptic action
potentials.
B. At chemical synapses, there is no intercellular continuity, and thus no direct flow of current from
pre- to postsynaptic cell. Synaptic current flows across the postsynaptic membrane only in response
to the secretion of neurotransmitters which open or close postsynaptic ion channels after binding
to receptor molecules.
Functions of Synapses & Neurotransmitter © Prof. Dr. Rashid Mahmood
19
Synaptic Transmission
• Action Potential In Pre-synaptic Terminal
• Opening of Ca++ Channels in the Presynaptic
Membrane .
• Now assume your finger is being pricked to obtain a blood sample. The same
withdrawal reflex would be initiated. What pattern of postsynaptic potentials
would you voluntarily produce in the neurons controlling the biceps and
triceps to keep your arm extended despite the painful stimulus?
Functions of Synapses & Neurotransmitter © Prof. Dr. Rashid Mahmood
24
Thinking at a higher level (Answer to Q.3)
• Answer: 3. The hand could be pulled away from the hot stove by flexion of
the elbow accomplished by summation of EPSPs at the cell bodies of the
neurons controlling the biceps muscle, thus bringing these neurons to
threshold. The subsequent action potentials generated in these neurons
would stimulate contraction of the biceps. Simultaneous contraction of the
triceps muscle, which would oppose the desired flexion of the elbow, could be
prevented by generation of IPSPs at the cell bodies of the neurons controlling
this muscle. These IPSPs would keep the triceps neurons from reaching
threshold and firing so that the triceps would not be stimulated to contract.
The arm could deliberately be extended despite a painful finger prick by
voluntarily generating EPSPs to override the reflex IPSPs at the neuronal cell
bodies controlling the triceps while simultaneously generating IPSPs to
override the Functions
reflex EPSPs
of Synapses at the© Prof.
& Neurotransmitter neuronal cell bodies controlling the
Dr. Rashid Mahmood
25biceps.
Post synaptic potentials
• GPSP
Receptor
channels_ Messenger
Linked System
receptors
7
G-Proteins- cAMP 5 Ca++-Calmodulin
Enzyme-
Linked 2 linked 3
Receptors Phspholipase C 6
receptors Protein synthesis
Activation of Functions 4
genesof Synapses & Neurotransmitter © Prof. Dr. Rashid M
Gene transcription 40
ahmood
"Second Messenger" System in the Postsynaptic
Neuron.
• Glycine:
• Secreted mainly in spinal cord.
• Effect:
• Probably always inhibition
• Glutamate
• Secreted by
• many sensory pathways &
• many areas of the cerebral cortex.
• Effect: Functions of Synapses & Neurotransmitter © Prof. Dr. Rashid Mahmood
• Probably always causes excitation. 46
Serotonin
• Secreted in
• median raphe of the brain stem
• Termination:
• many brain and spinal cord areas, especially to
• dorsal horns of the spinal cord and
• hypothalamus.
• Effects:
• Inhibitor of pain pathways in the cord,
• inhibitor action in the higher regions of the nervous system is
believed to help control the mood of the person, perhaps even to
cause sleep. 47
Functions of Synapses & Neurotransmitter © Prof. Dr. Rashid Mahmood
Nitric Oxide
• Secreted by nerve terminals in areas of the brain responsible
for long-term behavior and for memory.
• Different mechanism of formation
• Not preformed and stored in vesicles in the presynaptic
terminal as are other transmitters. Instead, it is
synthesized almost instantly
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