Question

Neural communication

Describe in detail the steps in chemical communication between neurons.

Please include:

action potential opening voltage-gated Ca++ channels

Ca++ entering the pre-synaptic terminal

Ca++ working with calmodulin to release transmitter from synaptic vesicles into the synaptic cleft

the transmitter binding to receptors on the post-synaptic membrane

the vesicle being recycled

the transmitter being broken down/recycled/diffusing away.

Answer 1

Neurons are the functional unit of nervous system. In neural communication electric signals are passed as information though neurones.

Neural communication is also known as electrochemical events because there is passage of electrical signal down the axon length while the chemical process occurs when the neurotransmitters moves across the synaptic space.

steps in chemical communication in neurons are:

• Neurotransmitter synthesis - they are synthesized inside the neurones.
• Neurotransmitter packaging and release-  once the neurotransmitters are synthesized they are packed in the vesical and release in the synaptic cleft after receiving the signal from the calcium ions. When the electrical signal traveling down the axon reaches the presynaptic terminal it opens voltage gated calcium channels present in the membrane and upon opening these channels the calcium from the extracellular environment enters the presynaptic terminal.As the calcium ions meets the vesicles, the membrane of the vesicles fuses with the membrane of the presynaptic terminal at the synaptic cleft. Thereby releasing the neurotransmitter into the synaptic cleft. Calmodulin is the major calcium binding protein. Calcium- calmodulin plays a major role in neurotransmitter release as calcium- calmodulin complex Is involved in synaptic vesicle and synaptic membrane interaction.
• Binding of neurotransmitter - The neurotransmitter diffuse into the postsynaptic neuron through synaptic cleft. At the membrane of the postsynaptic member there are receptors present which controls translation of neurotransmitter into electrical signal.
• chemical signal stopping-  once the neurotransmitter are translated into electrical signal the receptors are cleared so that some neurotransmitters will be degraded, some will be transported back to the presynaptic terminal to be recycled, and sometimes they are absorbed by the postsynaptic terminal.

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