Guided reading questions 6: Synaptic activity

Read modules 11.4 & 11.5.1 (pages 403-412)

Feel free to use outside resources if the answer to the question isn’t directly in the text.

Q1. For each statement, indicate T/F

a. Each neuron generally has one axon T
b. Each neuron generally has one axon terminal F has many
c. A neuronal synapse can only occur between an axon and a dendrite. F can be with dendrite, axon, or cell body
d. The terms presynaptic and postsynaptic are relative – an individual neurons is both presynaptic and postsynaptic
depending on which synapse is being examined. T
e. A single neuron can send information to 1000s of other neurons, but it can only receive information from one
neuron. F can receive from many neurons

Q2. In what types of tissues and for what functions are electrical synapses seen (p. 406)?
Brain- integration, cardiac-movement motor, and visceral smooth muscles movement motor????

Q3. How is transfer of information from the presynaptic neuron to the postsynaptic neuron achieved in an electrical
synapse? You may find it helpful to sketch out and annotate a schematic.

Q4. How is transfer of information from the presynaptic neuron to the postsynaptic neuron achieved in a chemical
synapse? You may find it helpful to sketch out and annotate a schematic.

Q5. What stimulates the Ca2+ gated channels to open in the synaptic knob? (select one)
A. A ligand binding to the channels
B. Voltage changes that took place as a result of Ca2+ flowing from the axon hillock
C. Voltage changes that took place as a result of Na+ flowing from the axon hillock
D. Active pumping of Ca2+ from the cytoplasm of the neuron and onto the ECF

Q6. How does postsynaptic membrane potential change as a result of receptor binding to the neurotransmitters in the
synaptic cleft? Write out several sentences and/or a flow chart, including the following words/terms:
IPSP, EPSP, membrane potential, threshold, ligand-gated, Na+, Ca2+, Cl-, K+, hyperpolarization, depolarization.
The membrane potential of postsynaptic neuron moves closer to threshold as a result of sodium or calcium ligand
gated channels opening. This results in a small, local depolarization called excitatory postsynaptic potential.
The membrane potential of postsynaptic neuron moves further to threshold as a result of potassium or chlorine
ligand gated channels opening. This results in a small, local hyperpolarization called inhibitory postsynaptic
potential,
Q7. What is neural integration, and how does it relate to spatial and temporal summation?
Neural integration is a process by which a neuron integrates all of the postsynaptic potentials from multiple
presynaptic neurons. ESPS+IPSP. Temporal summation is when neurotransmitters are released repeatedly
from the axon terminal of a single presynaptic neurons. Spatial summation is simultaneous release of
neurotransmitters from axon terminals of multiple presynaptic neuron. Temporal +spatial = neural integration

Q8. Using the “Concept Boost” on page 410, fill out this table to summarize the key features of the four types of
membrane channels, and how their functions fit their locations:

Channel Type Function Location

Ligand-gated ion Receive chemical signals from another neuron Dendrites/Cell Body

Voltage-gated Na+ & K+ Open or close during an action potential in axon

order to send a signal to another cell.

Voltage-gated Ca2+ Trigger exocytosis of synaptic vesicles. Axon terminal

Leak Channels & Na+/K+ pumps Involved in generating the RMP and maintain Axon, cell body, axon
the ion gradients that are critical to the terminals, the whole neuron
neuron’s electrophysiology.