Добавил:
Upload Опубликованный материал нарушает ваши авторские права? Сообщите нам.
Вуз: Предмет: Файл:
part 1.doc
Скачиваний:
3
Добавлен:
01.07.2025
Размер:
4.96 Mб
Скачать

Chemical Synapse

Chemical synapse is the junction between a nerve fiber and a muscle fiber or between two nerve fibers, through which signals are transmitted by release of chemical transmitter. In chemical synapse, there is no continuity between presynaptic and postsynaptic neurons because of presence of a space called synaptic cleft between two neurons. Action potential reaching presynaptic terminal causes release of neurotransmitter from vesicles of terminal. Neurotransmitter reaches postsynaptic neuron through synaptic cleft and causes production of potential change. The structure and functions of the chemical synapse are given below.

EXCITATORY FUNCTION

When action potential reaches presynaptic axon terminal, voltage gated calcium channels at presynaptic membrane are opened. Now calcium ions enter axon terminal from extracellular fluid (Fig.15).

Calcium ions cause fusion of synaptic vesicles with cell membrane and release of neurotransmitter substance from vesicles by means of exocytosis.

Presy­naptic neuron

A rrive of action potential in axon terminal

O pening of calcium channels in presynaptic membrane

I nflux of calcium ions from ECF into the axon terminal

O pening of vesicles and release of Ach

Passage of Ach through synaptic cleft

Postsy­naptic neuron

F ormation of Ach-receptop complex

D evelopment of EPSP

O pening of sodium channels and influx of sodium ions from ECF

O pening of sodium channels in initial segment of axon

I nflux of sodium ions from ECF and development of action potential

Spread of action potential through axon of postsynaptic neuron

Fig.15. Sequence of events during synaptic transmission. Ach = Acetylcholine. ECF = Extracellular fluid. EPSP = Excitatory postsynaptic potential

Neurotransmitter, which is excitatory in function (excitatory neurotransmitter) passes through presynaptic membrane and synaptic cleft and reaches postsynaptic membrane. Now, the neurotransmitter binds with the receptor protein present in the postsynaptic membrane to form the neurotransmitter receptor complex. Neurotransmitter receptor complex causes production of nonpropagative electrical potential called excitatory postsynaptic potential (EPSP). The most common excitatory neurotransmitter in a synapse is acetylcholine.

Mechanism of Development of epsp

The neurotransmitter receptor complex causes opening of ligand gated sodium channels. Now, sodium ions from extracellular fluid enter the synapse, i.e. soma. As sodium ions are positively charged, resting membrane potential inside soma is altered and mild depolarization develops. This mild depolarization is called EPSP. It is a local response in the synapse.

Properties of epsp

EPSP is confined only to synapse. It differs from action potential and is similar to receptor potential and endplate potential. EPSP has such properties:

1. it is non-propagated (local);

2. it does not work according to law “everything or nothing”.

Соседние файлы в предмете [НЕСОРТИРОВАННОЕ]