Question

1. Reflect on how synaptic communication would differ if electrical - rather than chemical - transmission was used. Consider whether phenomena like temporal and spatial summation would be possible, and whether we would we still have EPSPs and IPSPs.

Answer 1

In electrical transmission, there is direct physical contact between presynaptic and postsynaptic neuron. The two neurons form the gap junction and the flow of jobs takes place directly. So, electrical synapses transmit signals rapidly than the chemical synapses. The electrical synapses can also carry signals in both the direction and allows for the synchronized activity of group of cells. But, electrical synapses lack the flexibility of chemical synapses in signal modulation. The phenomena like temporal and spatial summation would not be possible and excitatory and inhibitory post synaptic potentials will not occur.