Question

What part of the body would benefit the most from a coordinated, fast, synchronized electrical synapse?

Answer 1

Electrical synapse is coordinated, fast and synchronized. So they are found in those locations where we require coordinated, fast and synchronized response. Remember, electrical synapse can also be bidirectional.

The part which can benefit from electrical synapse are brain, single unit smooth muscle, heart and some embryonic structures.

Let's take brain first. Certain hormone-secreting neurons within the hypothalamus are connected by electrical synapses. This arrangement ensures that all cells fire action potentials at about the same time, thus facilitating a burst of hormone secretion into the circulation.

It is also found in neocortex, hippocampus, thalamic reticular neuron, inferior olivary nucleus, locus coeruleus etc

Heart and single unit smooth muscles also needs to contract in synchronized and in regular rapid manner. So, electrical synapses are present.