SYNAPSE

DEFINITION
Synapses are the neuro-neuronal junctions through which information from one
neuron passes to the other

CLASSIFICATION
I. ANATOMICAL TYPES
a) Axo-dendritic synapse: synapse between axon of a neuron with dendrite of
another neuron
E.g. Climbing fibers in cerebellum
b) Axo-somatic synapse: synapse between axon of a neuron with soma of
another neuron
E.g. Basket cells of cerebellum
c) Axo-axonic synapse: synapse between axon of a neuron with axon of another
neuron
E.g. Spinal cord
d) Dendo-dendritic synapse: synapse between dendrite of a neuron with
dendrite of another neuron
E.g. Olfactory bulb

II. PHYSIOLOGICAL TYPES

a) Chemical synapse: transmission of impulse occurs through release of
neurotransmitters
b) Electrical synapse: transmission of impulse occurs through gap junctions
c) Conjoint synapse: synapse where both the chemical and electrical
transmissions coexist
III. ACCORDING TO THE NUMBER OF NEURONS INVOLVED
a) One to one: one neuron ends on another
b) Many to one: multiple neurons terminate on a single neuron
c) One to many: one neuron contacts multiple neurons

STRUCTURE OF SYNAPSE
• Pre synaptic membrane: Axonal membrane lining the synaptic knobs
• Synaptic knob: Terminal portion of pre synaptic neuron typically ends in small
bulbous enlargement called synaptic knob
• Synaptic cleft: Small gap (20-40 nm wide) between pre and post synaptic
membrane
• Post synaptic membrane: Membrane lining the post synaptic process
• Neurotransmitter: Chemical substance used for transfer of information
through synapse
SYNAPTIC TRANSMISSION
Arrival of action potential in axon terminal

Opening of calcium channels in pre synaptic membrane

Influx of calcium ions from ECF into axon terminal

Opening of vesicles and release of acetyl choline

Passage of acetyl choline through synaptic cleft

Formation of acetyl choline- receptor complex

Opening of sodium channels and influx of sodium from ECF

Development of excitatory post synaptic potential

Opening of sodium channels in initial segment of axon

Influx of sodium from ECF and development of action potential

Spread of action potential through axon of post synaptic neuron

PROPERTIES
1. One way conduction: The chemical synapse allows only one way conduction
of an impulse i.e., from pre synaptic to post synaptic neuron and never in the
opposite direction
2. Synaptic delay: Refers to a time lapse of 0.5ms, which occurs between arrival
of nerve impulse at the pre synaptic terminal and its passage to the post
synaptic membrane
3. Synaptic inhibition: Inhibition of synaptic transmission is classified into five
types:
a) Postsynaptic inhibition: occurs due to the release of an inhibitory
neurotransmitter from presynaptic terminal instead of an excitatory
neurotransmitter substance
b) Presynaptic inhibition: occurs due to the failure of presynaptic axon terminal
to release sufficient quantity of excitatory neurotransmitter substance
c) Negative feedback inhibition: occurs in spinal alpha motor neurons through
an inhibitory interneuron (Renshaw cells in spinal cord)
d) Feedforward inhibition: occurs in cerebellum and it controls the neuronal
activity in cerebellum
e) Reciprocal inhibition: Inhibition of antagonistic muscles when a group of
muscles are activated is called reciprocal inhibition
4. Convergence: Many post synaptic neurons converge on any single post
synaptic neuron
5. Divergence: One pre synaptic neuron terminates on many post synaptic
neurons
6. Fatigue: When the pre synaptic neuron is stimulated separately, the rate of
impulse discharge in the post synaptic neuron is initially high but within a few
seconds there occurs a gradual decrease and finally disappearance of the post
synaptic response
7. After discharge: Refers to phenomenon in which a single instantaneous input
results into sustained output signals
8. Reverberation: Refers to phenomenon of passage of impulse from pre
synaptic neuron and again back to pre-synaptic neuron to cause a continuous
stimulation of pre synaptic neuron
FUNCTIONS
1. Excitatory function: Excitatory synapses transmit the impulses
i.e. action potential from one neuron to another
2. Inhibitory function: Inhibitory synapses inhibit the transmission of impulses.
Significance- it limits the number of impulses going to muscles and enables the
muscles to act properly and appropriately

PREVIOUS YEAR QUESTIONS

1. Define synapse. What are the properties of synapse (7 marks)
2. Synapse (4; 5 marks)
3. Functions of synapse (5 marks)
4. Properties of synapse (5 marks)