The main function of neurons is to receive information, process this information, formulate an appropriate response, and then transmit this response to other cells. Information is transmitted to another cell across a synapse. The neuron sending the information is referred to as the pre-synaptic neuron. The cell receiving the information at the other end of the synapse is called the post-synaptic cell. The post-synaptic cell can be another neuron, a muscle cell, an endocrine cell, or other cell type. Much of information processing in the brain takes place at the level of the synapse. Test your basic knowledge of synaptic neurotransmission by taking this simple quiz.
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(1) At the cytoplasmic mouth of a calcium (Ca2+) channel within the SNARE complex, Ca2+ entry into the axon terminal leads to very high local concentrations of cytoplasmic Ca2+. These regions are referred to as calcium __________.
(2) In electrical synapses, synaptic delay is about:
(3) In chemical synapses, synaptic delay is about:
(4) In the axon terminal of central neurons, this model of vesicle fusion seems to be strongly supported by experimental evidence:
(5) At the neuromuscular junction, a single action potential arriving at the axon terminal of the somatic motor neuron, leads to the fusion of approximately __________ acetylcholine-containing vesicles with the pre-synaptic plasma membrane.
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Posted: Friday, September 5, 2014
Last updated: Tuesday, March 11, 2025
Last updated: Tuesday, March 11, 2025
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