SYNAPSE Temporal Summation → Spatial Summation
Charles Scott Sherrington (1906)
o Neurons communicate by transmitted chemicals
at junctions.
o Introduced the term synapse.
REFLEX ARC
Two Neurons
• Afferent
• Efferent Temporal Summation
Reflex Arc o Repeated stimuli within a brief time having a
cumulative effect.
• Reflexes are slower than conduction along an
axon Spatial Summation
• Several weak stimuli presented at slightly o Several synaptic inputs originating from
different times or slightly different locations separate locations exerting a cumulative
produces a stronger reflex than a single stimulus effect on a postsynaptic neuron.
does
• As one set of muscle relaxes, another set becomes
excited
Reflexes – automatic muscular responses to stimuli
THE PROPERTIES OF SYNAPSES
Reflex Arc – the circuit from sensory neuron to
muscle response. Presynaptic Neuron
o neuron that delivers the synaptic transmission)
Postsynaptic Neuron
o neuron that receives the message
Graded Potential
➢ Spatial summation is critical to brain functioning. • Partial depolarization (excitatory)
➢ Temporal summation and Spatial summation • Temporary hyperpolarization (inhibitory)
ordinarily occur together.
Excitatory Postsynaptic Potential (EPSP) • Sherrington assumed that synapses produce on THE SEQUENCE OF CHEMICAL EVENTS AT
and off responses. THE SYNAPSE
• Occurs when Na+ ions enter the postsynaptic
• Synapses vary enormously in their duration of
neuron The The neuron synthesizes chemicals that
effects. moment serve as neurotransmitters
• A graded depolarization • Spontaneous Firing Rate This is it! Travels down the axon thru AP
• EPSPs are not action potentials o The periodic production of action potentials Let go. Molecules diffuse across the cleft
• Graded potential that decays over time and space despite synaptic input, Don’t Attachment to receptors, and alter the
• The cumulative effect of EPSPs is the basis for o EPSPs increase the number of action leave me! activity of the postsynaptic neuron
temporal and spatial summation. The Break The neurotransmitter molecules separate
potentials above the spontaneous firing rate.
Up from their receptors
o IPSPs decrease the number of action Tayo na The neurotransmitters are taken back into
Inhibitory Postsynaptic Potential (IPSP)
potentials below the spontaneous firing rate lang ulit? the presynaptic neuron for recycling or
• This occurs when K+ leaves the cell or Cl-enters diffuse away
the cell after it is stimulated Pero The postsynaptic cell may send reverse
ayoko na. messages to slow the release of further
• A temporary hyperpolarization neurotransmitters by presynaptic cells
• Moving it further from the threshold and
decreasing the probability of an action potential
• The interneuron sends a message to block activity
of motor neurons
• An active “brake” that suppresses excitation
THE DISCOVERY OF CHEMICAL
TRANSMISSIONS AT SYNAPSES
Otto Loewi
o communication across the synapse occurs via
chemical means
Neurotransmitters
o are chemicals that travel across the synapse
Recordings from a postsynaptic neuron during synaptic activation
and allow communication between neurons
• Dopamine
RELATIONSHIP AMONG EPSP, IPSP, AND ACTION
POTENTIALS Chemical transmission predominates throughout the
nervous system
COMPONENTS OF A SYNAPSE
projections to
frontal lobe of
the cortex
Norepinephrine • Pons (especially • Arousal and
locus coeruleus, vigilance
which projects • Mood
widely to spinal
cord and brain)
• Medulla
• Hypothalamus
• Postganglionic
sympathetic
synapses
Serotonin Projections • Sleep
originate in the • Appetite
pons, particularly • Mood
the raphe nucleus,
and project widely
in the brain and
spinal cord
Glutamate Widely distributed • Excitation
in the central • Long-term
nervous system memory
GABA Widely distributed • Inhibition
in the central • Mood
Summary Table: Characteristics of Selected nervous system • Seizure
threshold
Neurotransmitters Adenosine • Central nervous • Pain modulation
NEUROTRANSMITTERS
Neuro- Locations Functions
triphosphate system • Inhibition
(ATP) neuromodulator
• Released on the presynaptic terminal through the transmitter
• Autonomic
Acetylcholine • Neuromuscular • Movement
synaptic cleft and binds to receptor molecule on nervous system
(ACh) junction • Autonomic
the postsynaptic membrane • Frequently
• Preganglionic function
found in axons
• Response is either stimulatory or inhibitory autonomic • Learning and containing
synapses memory
• Channels • Postganglionic
catecholamines
o Na+ channels: stimulation Endorphins • Periaqueductal • Pain reduction
parasympathetic
gray • Feelings of
o K+ channels: inhibition synapses
• Hypothalamus well-being
• Basal forebrain
• Vesicles – tiny special packets located in the projections to • Pituitary gland
presynaptic terminal where neurotransmitters are hippocampus • Limbic system
and amygdala; • Basal ganglia
held for release. • Spinal cord
the septum; the
• Monoamine oxidase – a chemical that breaks brainstem • Ventral
down excess levels of some neurotransmitters. Dopamine • Substantia nigra • Movement tegmentum
• Reinforcement Substance P Spinal cord Pain
• Exocytosis – refers to the excretion of the and basal
• Central and • Relaxes smooth
ganglia • Planning Nitric oxide (NO)
neurotransmitter from the presynaptic terminal • Ventral peripheral muscle cells in
into the synaptic cleft. tegmentum nervous system blood vessels
projections to • Smooth muscle • Erection
hippocampus, • Possible
amygdala, and retrograde
nucleus signaling
accumbens
• Ventral
tegmentum
