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Chemical and electrical synapse are two mechanisms by which signals can be transferred between neurons. Which of the following occurs during chemical synapse? a. Repolarization at the presynaptic membrane b. Calcium influx causes synaptic vesicles to fuse to the membrane c. Neurotransmitters diffuse out of gap junctions d. Neurotransmitters bind to synaptic vesicles

Short Answer

Expert verified
b. Calcium influx causes synaptic vesicles to fuse to the membrane

Step by step solution

01

Understanding Chemical Synapse

In a chemical synapse, an action potential arrives at the presynaptic terminal, leading to various processes that involve the release of neurotransmitters.
02

Action Potential and Calcium Influx

When the action potential reaches the presynaptic terminal, voltage-gated calcium channels open, allowing calcium ions to enter.
03

Synaptic Vesicles Fusion

The influx of calcium ions triggers synaptic vesicles, which contain neurotransmitters, to move towards and fuse with the presynaptic membrane.
04

Release of Neurotransmitters

Once the vesicles fuse with the membrane, neurotransmitters are released into the synaptic cleft. This allows signals to be transferred to the post-synaptic neuron.
05

Analyzing the Options

Given the described process, the correct option is the one that describes calcium causing the vesicles to fuse with the membrane.

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Key Concepts

These are the key concepts you need to understand to accurately answer the question.

Neurotransmitter Release
Neurotransmitter release is a critical part of signal transmission in the nervous system. It involves a series of steps starting with the arrival of an action potential at the presynaptic terminal.

  • An action potential travels down the axon to the presynaptic terminal.
  • This leads to the opening of voltage-gated calcium channels.
As a result of this sequence, neurotransmitters stored in synaptic vesicles are eventually released into the synaptic cleft.

Once released, neurotransmitters diffuse across the synaptic cleft and bind to receptor sites on the postsynaptic neuron. This binding initiates a response in the postsynaptic cell, continuing the process of signal transmission.

Understanding neurotransmitter release is essential for comprehending how neurons communicate with each other.
Calcium Influx
Calcium influx is a vital trigger in the process of neurotransmitter release during chemical synapses. When an action potential arrives at the presynaptic terminal, it leads to the opening of voltage-gated calcium channels.

  • These channels are highly selective, allowing only calcium ions to pass through.
  • The influx of calcium ions increases the intracellular calcium concentration.
This increase in calcium concentration is what triggers the synaptic vesicles to move towards and fuse with the presynaptic membrane.

Calcium ions play a crucial role because they are required for the vesicle fusion process. Without sufficient calcium influx, the synaptic vesicles would not be able to release neurotransmitters into the synaptic cleft.

Therefore, the calcium influx is an indispensable part of the signal transmission process at the chemical synapse.
Synaptic Vesicle Fusion
Synaptic vesicle fusion is the key step where neurotransmitters are released into the synaptic cleft. After calcium ions enter the presynaptic terminal, they interact with proteins on the synaptic vesicles.

  • These proteins undergo conformational changes that bring the vesicles closer to the presynaptic membrane.
  • Once close enough, the vesicle membranes merge with the presynaptic membrane.
This fusion process is highly regulated and ensures that neurotransmitters are precisely released.

Upon fusing, the synaptic vesicles release their neurotransmitter content into the synaptic cleft. This release is a highly controlled process that ensures efficient signal transmission between neurons.

In summary, synaptic vesicle fusion is the final step needed for neurotransmitters to be released and for the chemical signal to be transmitted to the next neuron.

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Most popular questions from this chapter

If a neuron has damaged synapses, what would beimpaired? a. Integration of signals from several synapses b. Speed of signal transduction c. Receiving signals from other neurons d. Ability to recharge electrical signals

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A neurotransmitter provides a chemical signal between neurons to inhibit or excite an action potential. A. Describe a model of this signaling and in this description include the roles played by synapse, receptors, post and pre-synaptic neurons, exocytosis, endocytosis, ligand-gated ion channel and the electric potential of the membrane. B. Explain the stimulatory or inhibitory effect of key ionic elements, \(\mathrm{Na}^{+}\) and \(\mathrm{Cl}^{-}\) , on the electric potential of the postsynaptic membrane. C. Modify the diagram to create a representation of the effect explained above. Select from the following list to fill in the blanks: 鈥 Na+ 鈥 Cl- 鈥 stimulatory 鈥 inhibitory D. In the 1960s Burnstock and co-workers provided evidence that ATP is a neurotransmitter. This was received skeptically and largely rejected until 1984 when a modified form of ATP that was known to block the intracellular function of ATP was shown to effect extracellular signal transmission. Based on the central role played by ATP in biological systems justify the resistance within the scientific community to accept a role for ATP as a neurotransmitter. Based on the fact that ATP has been conserved throughout evolution of life on Earth justify such a role for ATP. Based on these two perspectives analyze the role of cooperative interactions in the positive selection of ATP as a neurotransmitter

If the sensory-somatic nervous system of an animal is damaged, what might happen? a. enhanced processing of environmental information b. decreased digestion ability c. perpetually low heart rate d. impaired control of motor movements

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