Synapse

• one-way junction
between neurons
• reason impulse
flow is
unidirectional
 Synapse

3 2

1
post-synaptic pre-synaptic
neuron neuron

synapse
 Synapse

• presynaptic
and
postsynaptic neurons are
separated by a synaptic cleft
Synapse

synaptic cleft
 Synapse
presynaptic
neuron

synaptic cleft
• narrow gap between
presynaptic and
postsynaptic neurons
postsynaptic
neuron
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 Synapse
presynaptic
neuron

synaptic vesicles synaptic

(contain end bulb
neurotransmitter) (axon terminal)

synaptic cleft

postsynaptic
neuron receptor binding
sites
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Synapse

synaptic cleft

synaptic vesicles
(contain
neurotransmitter)
 Synapse
•neurotransmitter chemicals
relay impulses between
neurons
•transmits in one direction
only
Organization of Neurons
Functional Classification of Neurons
Sensory (afferent) neurons
• transmit sensory information from skin, muscles,
joints, sense organs and viscera to CNS

Motor (efferent) neurons

• transmit motor nerve impulses from CNS to muscles
and glands

Inter- (association) neurons

• 90% of neurons
• connect neurons within the CNS
Reflex
• action
of an effector organ due to
“direct” stimulation of a motor
neuron by a sensory neuron (often
via an association neuron in the
spinal cord)
• reflex arc “bypasses the brain”
Reflex arc

Association
neuron Receptor

Afferent
neuron

Efferent
neuron

Effector
Physiological Role of
Reflexes
• protective
- minimizes duration
of exposure to noxious stimuli
• control
of posture, balance,
co-ordination
Clinical use of reflexes

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• abnormalreflexes may indicate

neural pathology