SYNAPSE

Synapse is the junction between two cells where, the axon/ dendrite of one
cell terminate in the dendrite of another cell.

Neurons which sends messages is called presynaptic cell. Whereas the

neuron that receives messages is called the postsynaptic neuron.

SYNAPSE

Synaptic knob Subsynaptic and Synaptic cleft

Post synaptic membrane

Composition of synapse

z Synaptic knob- Terminal end of presynaptic axon.

Consists of synaptic vesicles, release neuro transmitter
Mitochondria
Microtubules
Presynaptic membrane
z Sub synaptic membrane-
Surface of cell membrane involved in synapse
z Post Synaptic membrane-
Remainder of the cell membrane of the motor neuron

z Synaptic cleft-
Separates the pre and post synaptic membrane
Size 20-40 nm

NOTE – Receptors are mainly located on subsynaptic membrane

 TYPES

AXON- AXOSOMATIC AXOAXONAL DENDRO

DENDRITIC DENDRITIC
Most common rare
Between-
Axon and Axon and soma Axon and axon Dendrite and dendrite
dendrite
LOCATION -
Motor neurons Motor neuron in Spinal cord Olfactory pathways
in spinal cord spinal cord and synapse
autonomic
ganglia

SYNAPSE divided into

• Chemical

• Electrical

CHEMICAL SYNAPSE ELECTRICAL SYNAPSE

1. The transmission of impulse 1. The transmission of impulse
occurs due to the release of occurs due to the release of
chemical substance ions.

2. Largely present in CNS Present at some places in CNS

3. Synaptic cleft present Low resistance bridges replaces
synaptic cleft
4. Sensitive to hypoxia Resistance to hypoxia

EPSP excitatory post synaptic potential

Excitability of neuron to other stimuli is increased by initial depolarizing

response produced by a single stimulus to the sensory nerve.
Therefore it is called EPSP
Single stimulus is not sufficient to generate a spike and it declines slowly.
 EPSP need to be summated by each of the active knob to generate action
potential. This summation may be temporal or spatial.
EPSP is generated by the opening of Na+ channels in the subsynaptic
membrane of post synaptic cell

TEMPORAL SUMMATION SPATIAL SUMMATION

Stimulation of single afferent nerve Simultaneous stimulation of two
for the second time before decline of afferent nerve fibers
first stimulation.

NOTE- This is due the increased release of chemical transmitter

IPSP - Inhibitory post synaptic potential

Inhibition of excitability of neurons to the stimuli. Therefore it is called

IPSP.
It is due to hyperpolarizing response initiated by the stimulation of
presynaptic nerve fibers

SPATIAL AND TEMPORAL summation of IPSP also occurs as with EPSP.

INHIBITION AT SYNAPSES

Two types

Post synaptic inhibition

Pre synaptic inhibition

Post synaptic inhibition- Release of inhibitory chemical by axons that lead

to hyperpolarisation of subsynaptic membranes.

Subdivided into Direct and indirect inhibition.

DIRECT INHIBITION

Due to the stimulation of afferent nerve fibers which passe directly to motor
neurons.

INDIRECT INHIBTION

Due to effect of discharge of previous postsynaptic neuron.

eg Renshaw cell inhibition
Negative feed back inhibition of the neurons by themselves.

Presynaptic inhibition

Inhibition that occur at the pre synaptic terminals before the signals reach
the synapse
Due to the discharge of inhibitory neurons.

NOTE

Inhibitory transmitter release is GABA –

At axo axonal synapse.

PROPERTIES

1. CONVERGENCE AND DIVERGENCE

2. SYNAPTIC FATIGUE
3. SYNAPTIC DELAY
4. ONE WAY CONDUCTION
5. SUMMATION
6. SYNAPTIC OCCLUSION
7. SUBLIMINAL FRINGE
8. SYNAPSE PLASTICITY