1
Q
what is the gap between the neurons called?
A
synapse
2
Q
how are signals within a neuron transmitted?
A
electrically
3
Q
how are signals between neurons transmitted?
A
chemically
4
Q
what happens when the electrical impulse reaches the end of the neuron?
A
it triggers the release of neurotransmitters from synaptic vesicles
5
Q
What are neurotransmitters?
A
chemicals that diffuse across synapse to the next neuron in the chain
6
Q
What happens to the neurotransmitter after it diffuses across the synapse?
A
- It is taken up by a postsynaptic receptor site on the dendrites of the next neuron
- chemical message is converted back into an electrical impulse and the process of transmission begins again in the next neuron
7
Q
Why does the neurotransmitter have a specific structure?
A
- A neurotransmitter has its own specific molecular structure that fits perfectly into a postsynaptic receptor site.
- Neurotransmitters also have specialist functions
8
Q
What is excitation?
A
- neurotransmitter such as adrenaline increases the positive charge of the postsynaptic neuron
- increases the likelihood that the postsynaptic neuron will pass on the electrical impulse
9
Q
What is inhibition?
A
- neurotransmitter such as serotonin increases the negative charge of the postsynaptic neuron
- decreases the likelihood that the postsynaptic neuron will pass on an impulse
10
Q
What is summation?
A
- if the net effect on the postsynaptic neuron is inhibitory then the post synaptic neuron is less likely to fire
- action potential of the postsynaptic neuron is only triggered if the sum of the excitatory and inhibitory signals at any one time reaches the threshold
