STRUCTURE OF SYNAPSE

AND
MECHANISM OF SYNAPTIC TRANSMISSION

Prepared by :
F3H (science) julai 08
IPGM KSAH
 What is Synapse?
• Synapse is the area or the junction between
neurones for transferring information.
 Structure of Synapse
Synaptic knobs
- Small swellings at the terminal
of a neurone .
-The cytoplasm in it contain
numerous mitochondria and
synaptic vesicles.

Contains chemical called

NEUROTRANSMITTER
 Presynaptic neurone = The neurone that terminates /
come to an end at a given
synapse.
 Postsynaptic neurone = The neurone that begins at that
synapse.
The postsynaptic membrane contains large protein molecules
which act as receptor sites for the transmitter substance and
numerous channel and pores for the movement of ion into the
synaptic neurone
• The presynaptic and postsynaptic neurones
are separated by a gap of about 20 nm , called
the synaptic cleft.
 NEUROTRANSMITTER
FUNCTION :
-Responsible for the transmission of nerve impulse across the synapse.

Two main neurotransmitter

ACYTELCHOLINE
NORADRENALIN - It is released by
- It is released in the
OTHER EXAMPLES : almost all other nerve
sympathetic nervous
-dopamine, serotonin, except for some in the
system
glutamate, glycine and brain
others. ( parasympathetic
nervous system)
Mechanism of synaptic transmission
1 The arrival of an impulse at
the synaptic knob opens Ca
ion channels in the
presynaptic membrane. Ca
ions flow in from the
synaptic cleft.

2 The Ca ion induce a few

vesicle containing
neurotransmitters to fuse
with the presynaptic
membrane. The
vesicles release their
contains into the
synaptic cleft.
3 The neurotransmitter diffuses

across the synaptic cleft and

binds with a receptor protein
on the postsynaptic membrane.

Each receptor protein controls a

channel in the membrane
which, when open, allows one
or more types of ion ( sodium,
potassium or chloride) to pass
through.
 4 - When the - The entry of sodium ions
neurotransmitter binds to the depolarises the postsynaptic
receptor, it causes the sodium membrane. If the depolarise at
ion channels to open. Sodium
ions flow in. ion reaches the threshold level,
an action potential is generated
in the postsynaptic neurone.
 5 - The neurotransmitter is
removed from the synaptic cleft by
enzyme action. This prevents
continuous ‘firing’ of impulses in
the postsynaptic neurone.