AB Psychology 2

SYNAPSES

Presented by: Noli Villareal and

Nikke Ysulat
 Learning Objectives

At the end of the lesson the student must be:

- Define the concepts of Synapse.
- Understand the history of Synpase.
- Recognize who create/provide the term Synapse.
- Know the function of the two types of Synapses.
- Know how neurons transmit chemicals at specialized junctions
called synapses.
- Know the effect of Drugs to our neurotransmitter
 WHAT IS SYNAPSE?

Synapses are microscopic gaps that separate the terminal buttons of one neuron from
receptors (usually, located on the dendrites) of another neuron. Synapses are microscopic
gaps that separate the terminal buttons of one neuron from receptors (usually, located on
the dendrites) of another neuron.
Synapse, also called neuronal junction, the site of transmission of electric nerve impulses
between two nerve cells (neurons) or between a neuron and a gland or muscle cell
(effector). A synaptic connection between a neuron and a muscle cell is called a
neuromuscular junction.
 HISTORY OF SYNPASE

In the late 1800s, Ramón y Cajal anatomically demonstrated a narrow gap separating one
neuron from the next.
In 1906, Charles Scott Sherrington physiologically demonstrated that communication
between one neuron and the next differs from communication along a single axon.
 Born: 27 November 1857,
Islington, London, United
Kingdom
Died: 4 March 1952,
Eastbourne, United Kingdom
Spouse: Ethel Mary Wright (m.
1891)
Education: Gonville & Caius
College, University of Cambridge
(1886)
Awards: Copley Medal, Nobel
Charles Scott Sherrington Prize in Physiology or Medicine
Neurophysiologist
 HOW DOES SYNAPSE WORK?

At the Chemical synapse, the firing of an action potential in one neuron (the presynaptic,
or sending neuron) causes the transmission of a signal to another neuron (the postsynaptic,
or receiving neuron) making the postsynaptic neuron either more or less likely to fire its
own action potential.
 PARTS OF SYNAPSE

Pre-Synaptic Cell - In a chemical synapse, the cell that releases neurotransmitter that will stimulate the postsynaptic cell.

Post-Synaptic Cell - is the membrane that receives a signal (binds neurotransmitter) from the presynaptic cell and responds via depolarisation or

hyperpolarisation. The postsynaptic membrane is separated from the presynaptic membrane by the synaptic cleft.

Synaptic Vesicle - are small, electron-lucent vesicles that are clustered at presynaptic terminals. They store neurotransmitters and release them by calcium-

triggered exocytosis.

Neurotransmitter - are often referred to as the body's chemical messengers. They are the molecules used by the nervous system to transmit messages between

neurons, or from neurons to muscles.

Synaptic Cleft - also called synaptic gap— is a gap between the pre- and postsynaptic cells that is about 20 nm (0.02 μ) wide. The small volume of the cleft

allows neurotransmitter concentration to be raised and lowered rapidly.

Receptor -
 Three ways of Neurotransmitter

Excitatory neurotransmitters - have excitatory effects on the neuron. This means they increase the likelihood
that the neuron will fire an action potential. Inhibitory neurotransmitters have inhibitory effects on the neuron.
This means they decrease the likelihood that the neuron will fire an action.
Inhibitory neurotransmitters - These types of neurotransmitters have inhibitory effects on the neuron; they
decrease the likelihood that the neuron will fire an action potential. Some of the major inhibitory neurotransmitters
include serotonin and gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA).
Modulatory neurotransmitters - These neurotransmitters, often referred to as neuromodulators, are capable of
affecting a larger number of neurons at the same time. These neuromodulators also influence the effects of other
chemical messengers.
 HOW DOES SYNAPSE WORK?

Inside the axon terminal of a sending cell are many synaptic vesicles. These are
membrane-bound spheres filled with neurotransmitter molecules. There is a small gap
between the axon terminal of the presynaptic neuron and the membrane of the
postsynaptic cell, and this gap is called the synaptic cleft.
 Two Types of
Synapse
Chemical Synapse
Chemical transmission involves release of
chemical messengers known as
neurotransmitters. Neurotransmitters carry
information from the pre-synaptic—sending
—neuron to the post-synaptic—receiving—
cell.
Electrical Synapse
Electrical synapses transmit signals more
rapidly than chemical synapses do. Some
synapses are both electrical and
chemical. At these synapses, the
electrical response occurs earlier than the
chemical response.
 HOW DOES CHEMICAL SYNAPSE WORK?

When an action potential, or nerve impulse, arrives at the axon terminal, it activates
voltage-gated calcium channels in the cell membrane. Ca²+, which is present at a much
higher concentration outside the neuron than inside, rushes into the cell. The Ca²+ allows
synaptic vesicles to fuse with the axon terminal membrane, releasing neurotransmitter into
the synaptic cleft.
 HOW DOES CHEMICAL SYNAPSE WORK?

The molecules of neurotransmitter diffuse across the synaptic cleft and bind to receptor
proteins on the postsynaptic cell. Activation of postsynaptic receptors leads to the opening
or closing of ion channels in the cell membrane. This may be depolarizing (make the
inside of the cell more positive) or hyperpolarizing (make the inside of the cell more
negative) depending on the ions involved.
 HOW DOES ELECTRICAL SYNAPSE
WORK?

At electrical synapses, unlike chemical synapses, there is a direct physical connection

between the presynaptic neuron and the postsynaptic neuron. This connection takes the
form of a channel called a gap junction, which allows current—ions—to flow directly
from one cell into another.
 Benefits of Electrical Synapse
The main advantage of the electrical
synapses is that the signal
transduction, which occurs at a very
high speed through the gap junctions.
The transduction of signal is passive
(does not require energy).
Downside of Electrical Synapse
What are the downsides of electrical
synapses? Unlike chemical synapses,
electrical synapses cannot turn an
excitatory signal in one neuron into an
inhibitory signal in another. More broadly,
they lack the versatility, flexibility, and
capacity for signal modulation that we see
in chemical synapses.
 Effects of some Drugs at Dopamine Synapses

Drugs interfere with the way neurons send, receive, and

process signals via neurotransmitters. Some drugs, such
as marijuana and heroin, can activate neurons because
their chemical structure mimics that of a natural
neurotransmitter in the body. This allows the drugs to
attach onto and activate the neurons
Many of the most powerful drugs (alcohol, LSD) and
medications (Prozac, Valium, Ambien) work by altering the
effect of neurotransmitters.
Three main methods of drug action are to :
• Inhibit reuptake, effectively increasing the amount of
neurotransmitter in the synapse
• Block the receptor sites, thus reducing the effect of the
neurotransmitter.
• Mimic a neurotransmitter.
3 Main Categories of Drugs that work as
a neurotransmitter
Agonist
Antagonist
Reuptake Inhibitors
Questions?