Action potentials cause neurotransmitter release into the synaptic cleft, diffusion to postsynaptic receptors, and eventual removal to end the response, ensuring unidirectional transmission.
Action potentials trigger neurotransmitter release into the synaptic cleft, where they diffuse across to bind to receptors on the postsynaptic membrane, ensuring unidirectional transmission. Enzymes then remove neurotransmitters to terminate the response.
| Front | Stages for action potential to travel across synpase |
|---|---|
| Back | When action potential reaches the end of a neurone it causes neurotransmitters to be released into synaptic cleft The neurotransmitters diffuse across to postsynaptic membrane and bind the specific receptors Since receptors are only on postsynaptic membrane, synapses make sure impulses are unidirectional Neurotransmitters removed from cleft so response doesn't keep occuring, they are taken back into presynaptic neurone or broken down by enzymes |
Learn with these flashcards. Click next, previous, or up to navigate to more flashcards for this subject.
Next card: Synapses acetylcholine called cholinergic what
Previous card: Synpatic knob synaptic vesicles filled chemicals called neurotransmitters
Up to card list: AQA Biology Flashcards