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Chapter 13: Problem 3

Why is it difficult to show vesicular release of neurotransmitter molecules by electron microscopy?

Short Answer

Expert verified
The difficulty in showing vesicular release of neurotransmitters by electron microscopy stems from the dynamic nature of this event happening in microseconds and the static nature of electron microscopy. The latter also requires a high vacuum, which precludes viewing live cells, as well as sample preparation techniques which could alter or destroy cellular features.

Step by step solution

01

Understand vesicular release

Vesicular release refers to the process where neurotransmitters (chemical messengers) are released at the synapses (connections) between neurons. Neurotransmitters are stored in vesicles, small sac-like structures within neurons. When a nerve impulse (also called action potential) reaches the neuron's end, these vesicles fuse with the neuron's membrane to release the neurotransmitters into the synaptic cleft (the gap between neurons), which then bind to receptors on the adjacent neuron.
02

Identify limitations of electron microscopy

1) The vesicular release is a dynamic process occurring in microseconds, while electron microscopy is a static procedure, used mostly for capturing the structure of stable or stabilized samples. 2) Electron microscopy requires a high vacuum environment which precludes viewing of live cells, and thus, precludes capturing dynamic processes. 3) Preparation of samples for electron microscopy often involves processes such as fixation, dehydration, and staining, which might alter or destroy some features of the samples, including the vesicles.
03

Draw conclusions

Given the dynamic nature of vesicular release and the limitations of electron microscopy (being a static procedure, conducted under high vacuum and requiring sample preparation that might alter or destroy the sample), capturing the vesicular release of neurotransmitters by electron microscopy is indeed quite challenging.

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What adaptive advantage do synapses provide in nervous systems (i.e., why isn't the nervous system just a mesh of cells cytoplasmically connected through gap junctions)?

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