Question

B. Explain neurotransmission in terms of 4 steps. See "Action Potentials" and "Transformation of Information between Cells", especially figures 3.2 and 3.3

1)Neurotransmitters bind to receptors

2). Gates open, + ions flow in (excitatory message)

3)The Action Potential: The action potential is an electric charge that travels through nerve cell.

Answer 1

Step 1: The neurotransmitter must be synthesized and stored in vesicles so that when an action potential arrives at the nerve ending, the cell is ready to pass it along to the next neuron.

Step 2: When an action potential does arrive at the terminal, the neurotransmitter must be quickly and efficiently released from the terminal and into the synaptic cleft.

Step 3: The neurotransmitter must be recognized by selective receptors on the postsynaptic cell so that it can pass along the signal and initiate another action potential.

Step 4: After its recognition by the receptor, the neurotransmitter must be inactivated so that it does not continually occupy the receptor sites of the postsynaptic cell.