#synaptic cleft

The Scientific Research Notes Of S. Sunkavally (years: 2002-2011).

The Scientific Research Notes Of S. Sunkavally (years: 2002-2011).

The Scientific Research Notes Of S. Sunkavally (years: 2002-2011).

Arrival of impulse at synaptic knob causes permeability to alter, and Ca2+ diffuses in

influx of Ca2+ causes synaptic vesicle to diffuse with pre-synaptic membrane, releasing its neurotransmitter out into the synaptic cleft (gap between two neurones)

transmitter attaches to receptor site on post-synaptic membrane, depolarising into the next neurone and initiating the impulse (action potential) in the next neurone

This receptor spans the whole membrane

eg acetylcholine

made up of protein sub units

2 receptor sites 

when acetylcholine binds with both receptor sites, the proteins change shape - opening the channel

This allows sodium ions to diffuse through from the cleft into post-synaptic neurone

if membrane is sufficiently depolarised, action potential generated