10-Q10: At chemical synapses, electrical signals are converted to chemical signa
ID: 209454 • Letter: 1
Question
10-Q10: At chemical synapses, electrical signals are converted to chemical signals at the presynaptic axon terminal in the form of neurotransmitter release. The binding of neurotransmitters to receptors on the postsynaptic membrane can directly or indirectly trigger changes in the electrical properties of the postsynaptic neuron. How is information transmitted between presynaptic and postsynaptic neurons at electrical synapses? 10-Q11: Explain the role of connexins in electrical synapses. 10-Q12: What are three ways in which electrical synapse differ from chemical synapses.
Explanation / Answer
10-Q 10. At electrical synapses, there is a direct physical connection between the pre synaptic neuron and the post synaptic one. The physical connection is the specialized junction which allows the free passage of ions known as gap junctions. They are made of a channel protein called connexon. Connexons interact to form channels between two cells. To traverse the juction requires the aid of second messenger like cAMP, the gap junctions open and close in reponse to ion concentrations. The change in the membrane potential of the pre synaptic membrane causes the ions crucial for signalling to flow through the post synaptic cell.
10.Q11. Connexins are essentially gap junction proteins, or transmembrane proteins which form the building blocks of gap junctions at electrical synapses. They interact to form channels through which ions can pass through during electrical synapse. They are hetero hexameric in nature consisting of transmembrane segments. They enable electrical coupling at a synapse, mediate cell to cell information, they are also a part in intracellular signalling cascade with the aid of second messengers.
10.Q.12 The differences between an electrical and a chemical synapse are as under:
Electrical synapse Chemical synapse 1. An electrical synapse can be defined as a gap betwen the pre and post synaptic neuron whereby information is conveyed throufh channel proteins known as gap junction. 1. A chemical synapse can be defined as a gap whereby information is conveyed with the help of chemical molecules known as neurotransmitters. 2. In case of an electrical synapse the transmission is two way since it is regulated by channels. 2. Transmission is only one way. 3. Electrical synapses are much more faster and are restricted to specialised organs of the body like retina etc. 3. They are slower as compared to electrical synapses and seem to occur at almost all parts of the body.Related Questions
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