The reason why drugs preventing the neurotransmitters from being taken back up by a presynaptic neuron have dramatic effects on the activity of postsynaptic neurons. Introduction: A synaptic cleft is formed by the presynaptic and postsynaptic membranes of the neurons. The binding of the calcium ion to the synaptic vesicles triggers the release of the neurotransmitters from the presynaptic membrane into the synaptic cleft. The receptors for these neurotransmitters are present on the postsynaptic membrane.

Question

Want to see the full answer?

Answer 1

Question

Chapter 43, Problem 9TYPSS

Summary Introduction

To review:

The reason why drugs preventing the neurotransmitters from being taken back up by a presynaptic neuron have dramatic effects on the activity of postsynaptic neurons.

Introduction:

A synaptic cleft is formed by the presynaptic and postsynaptic membranes of the neurons. The binding of the calcium ion to the synaptic vesicles triggers the release of the neurotransmitters from the presynaptic membrane into the synaptic cleft. The receptors for these neurotransmitters are present on the postsynaptic membrane.

Expert Solution & Answer

Want to see the full answer?

Check out a sample textbook solution

See solution

Students have asked these similar questions

Action potentials are changes in membrane potential that are localized to a small area of the plasma membrane. However, an action potential can trigger the formation of a new action potential nearby. This cycle can repeat to produce conduction of the action potential down the length of the axon. Explain this process.

a)Explain how the presynaptic cell "knows" when to release its neurotransmitter into the synaptic cleft. b)Explain the difference between excitatory and inhibitory neurotransmitters in regards to their effect on the postsynaptic cell.

Explain what happens when an action potential reaches the axon terminus (terminal) by activating the receptors on the postsynaptic membrane. Explanation addressing the question above When an action potential, or nerve impulse, arrives at the axon terminal, it activates voltage-gated calcium channels in the cell membrane. Which is present at a much higher concentration outside the neuron than inside, rushes into the cell. The Ca2+ allows synaptic vesicles to fuse with the axon terminal membrane, releasing neurotransmitters into the synaptic cleft. The molecules of neurotransmitters diffuse across the synaptic cleft and bind to receptor proteins on the postsynaptic cell. Activation of postsynaptic receptors leads to the opening or closing of ion channels in the cell membrane. This may be depolarizing, making the inside of the cell more positive, or hyperpolarizing making the inside more negative depending on the ions involved. The excitatory and inhibitory postsynaptic potentials…