This is for an upper division animal physiology class: Explain your answer: In E

Question

This is for an upper division animal physiology class:

Explain your answer: In ELECTRICAL synapse, does the presynaptic or postsynaptic neuron lose strength or gains strength in the signal In other words which is more powerful and why? Is it because sodium has to move through the gap junction? Please do not use Ca as that is when an electrical synapse turns into a chemical synapse. I am asking specifically about the strength/power in the pre and postsynaptic neuron in the electrical synapse and what makes it it strong or weak

Please explain involving Na moving through the gap junctions in the answer

Explanation / Answer

Electrical synapse is the synapse in which the physiological continuity between the presynaptic and the postsynaptic neurons is provided by the gap junction between the two neurons. There is direct exchange of ions between the two neurons through the gap junction. Because of this reason, the action potential reaching the terminal portion of presynaptic neuron directly enters the post synaptic neuron. Because of the direct flow of current synaptic delay is very less. Gap junction contains channels with pores and the pores are called connexons which allow the ions and signalling molecules to pass from one cell to another. When membrane potential is changed for one cell ions like sodium move from one cell to another carrying positive charge and depolarize postsynaptic cell. Unlike chemical synapse, electrical synapse lack gain i.e. the post synaptic neuron signal is same or smaller than that of the originating neuron. The response is always same sign as the source as electrical synapse is bidirectional. Depolarization of presynaptic membrane will induce depolarization of postsynaptic membrane and vice versa for hyperpolarization. The response generated in post synaptic neuron is smaller in amplitude than the source. Membrane resistance of pre and post synaptic neurons is responsible for amount of attenuation of the signal. In that case , it is clear that post synaptic neurons loose strength and presynaptic neurons are strong as unlike post synaptic neurons, the signal amplitude is not lesser in presynaptic neurons

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