Overview
A lot can happen between neurons. These separations are called synapses.
Structurally, synapses are intercellular spaces (between cells). They are small separations between neurons.
Synapses can be electrical or chemical. They are the location where drugs and chemicals impact behavior.
Pay particular attention to how chemical bonds are formed and how synapses are cleaned up.
Learning Objectives
By the end of this module, you should be able to:
- Describe how synapses influence action potentials
- Describe which observations Sherrington used to infer the existence of synapses
- Explain the sequences (phases) of synaptic activity
- Explain diffusion, binding, reuptake and deactivation
- Describe how drugs impact synapses
- Compare and contrast the major neurotransmitters
Read
- Kalat’s Chapter 2
- Synapses
- Neurotransmitters
Slides
Videos
Discussion
Quiz (not the same as on Canvas)
Written Assignment
For items 1 and 2, give a short but thorough summary of the factor or concept.
For item 3, describe what you found difficult or confusing in this section. If nothing was difficult or confusing, describe what you found most interesting.
At the bottom, list at least two sources in APA format (including retrieval date if it is a website). The book can be one of them but you are not limited to using it.
- Explain semi-permeability and how ions flow in and out of neurons. Include a summary of diffusion and how it works.
- What is the difference between an ionotropic effect and a metabotropic effect? How does a g-protein play a part?
- What did you find difficult or confusing in this chapter? If nothing was difficult or confusing, what did you find most interesting?
Study Aids
Key Terms
- acetylcholine
- acetylcholinesterase
- amino acids
- amphetamine
- anandamide
- anterior pituitary
- autoreceptors
- cannabinoids
- catecholamines
- cocaine
- COMT
- endocrine glands
- excitatory postsynaptic potential (EPSP)
- exocytosis
- G protein
- gap junction
- gases
- hallucinogenic drugs
- hormone
- inhibitory postsynaptic potential (IPSP)
- ionotrpic effects
- ligand-gated channels
- MAO
- metabotropic effects
- methylphenidate
- monoamines
- neuromodulators
- neuropeptides
- neurotransmitters
- nicotine
- nitric oxide
- opiate drugs
- oxytocin
- peptide hormones
- pituitary gland
- posterior pituitary
- postsynaptic neuron
- presynaptic neuron
- protein hormones
- purines
- reflex arc
- reflexes
- releasing hormones
- reuptake
- second messenger
- spatial summation
- spontaneous recovery
- synapse
- temporal summation
- transmitter-gated channels
- transporters
- vasopressin
- vesicles
Links
Summary
Neurons have to connect to each other in order to live. A neuron that doesn’t synapse with others will die. Synapse is both a gap between neurons and the process of interconnection.