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Na+ Action Potential Presynaptic Ca2+ Channels Open Membrane

At a cholinergic synapse, an action potential causes Ca2+ influx, leading to acetylcholine release. Acetylcholine then binds to postsynaptic Na+ channels, causing Na+ influx and depolarization, potentially forming an action potential if the threshold is reached.

- action potential at presynaptic terminal - Ca2+ channels open - Ca2+ diffuse in - vesicles move to and fuse with presynaptic membrane - release acetylcholine by exocytosis - acetylcholine diffuses across synaptic cleft - binds to specific Na+ channel receptors on postsynaptic membrane - chemically gated Na+ channels open - Na+ diffuses into postsynaptic neurone - depolarisation occurs - if threshold value is reached, action potential forms

Front Describe transmission across a cholinergic synapse.
Back - action potential at presynaptic terminal
- Ca2+ channels open
- Ca2+ diffuse in
- vesicles move to and fuse with presynaptic membrane
- release acetylcholine by exocytosis
- acetylcholine diffuses across synaptic cleft
- binds to specific Na+ channel receptors on postsynaptic membrane
- chemically gated Na+ channels open
- Na+ diffuses into postsynaptic neurone
- depolarisation occurs
- if threshold value is reached, action potential forms

Tags: nerves

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