Question

Describe the steps involved in neurotransmitter release from a synapse and generation of a postsynaptic excitatory postsynaptic current

Answer 1

There are 8 steps involved in the neurotransmitter release which are as follows

1. The presynaptic cell undergoes the process of depolarization leading to the opening of calcium channels.
2. Influx or more simply enter of calcium from outside to the presynaptic cell happens.
3. Mobilization of the synaptic vesicle is the next one happening by the trigger of entered calcium.
4. A fusion is found to happen between the synaptic vesicle and presynaptic bouton membrane on the terminal side.
5. The next process happening after fusion is exocytosis. This is a process where vesicle release all their contents to the extracellular space after fusing with the plasma membrane
6. Through the process of diffusion post exocytosis, there is the movement of neurotransmitters bypassing the synaptic cleft.
7. The postsynaptic membrane has receptor sites suitable for the attachment of neurotransmitters. After bypassing synaptic cleft, it attaches to the receptor site.
8. Chemical gates that are found in the postsynaptic membrane gets influenced by neurotransmitters leading to the generation of an excitatory current.