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most neurotransmitters are not actually broken down, rather they are actively transported back into their pre release vesicles (this is called reuptake). Some neurotransmitters are broken down by a specific enzyme into non active parts i.e acetylcholine broken down by acetylcholinestarase

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Q: How are neurotransmitters broken down in the synaptic cleft?
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What is the location where chemicals pass signals from one neuron to the next?

Synapse: neurotransmitters from the pre-synaptic membrane spill into the synaptic cleft (synaptic gap), where the electrical impulse is transferred to the dendrites of the post-synaptic membrane.


Acetylcholine in the synaptic cleft is broken down by?

choline esterase enzyme and there is 2 types of choline esterase 1 .truecholine esterase 2. pseudo choline esterase


What happens to the neurotransmitter once it is released?

Neurotransmitter diffuses across the synaptic cleft to bind to the receptor on the muscle or next nerve.It is then broken down and absorbed back into the nerve.NovaNET answer: quickly destroyed..........Good Luck :)


Presynaptic neurons release neurotransmitters by?

An action potential travels down the neuron and reaches the presynaptic knob. This causes the Calcium ion channels to open and allow an influx of calcium into the knob. The increased concentration of calcium causes the secretory vesicles within the knob to bind to the outer membrane and release their neurotransmitter (e.g. ACh) into the synaptic cleft.


What is the neurotransmitter that is released into the synaptic cleft?

Vesicles containing the neurotransmitters are caused to fuse with the neuron's cell membrane, which thereby presents the neurotransmitters to the outside of the neuron, into the synapse.As I'm sure you know a neurotransmitter is how two neurons communicate at a synapse. It can be one of many molecules, often nor-epinephrine/nor-adrenaline. Neurotransmitters are stored in structures called vesicles in a bulb at the end of the axon the presynaptic neuron. These vesicles are like balloons containing the neurotransmitters, what would be the rubber of the balloon is actually made of the same plasma membrane that surrounds the rest of the cell. When the Action Potential (AP) coming down the axon gets to the bulb it causes Ca ion channels to open. These channels are membrane bound proteins ant act as voltage gated channels in the same way the Sodium ion channels in the axon do. The opening of these channels allows calcium entry into the cells. There are another class of membrane bound proteins that are important here, the Docking proteins. Ca ions activate the docking proteins by binding to them. What these proteins do is effectively grab the vesicles, containing the neurotransmitter, and make the membrane merge with the cells membrane. This is exactly like the opposite of phagocytosis, the cell then secretes the neurotransmitter into the synaptic cleft.The neurotransmitter must then & isreleased from the receptor site, in order to prevent continuing and constant over-stimulation of the post-synaptic neuron. It can be carried back to the presynaptic neuron for either repackaging into vesicles or broken down there by enzymes, or some neuropeptide neurotransmitters simply diffuse away into the surrounding medium, and one (acetylcholine) is broken down right in the synaptic cleft.

Related questions

Where is acetycholine broken down into acetate and choline?

Acetycholine is broken down into acetate and choline in the synaptic cleft.


What is released when an impulse reaches the end of a neuron?

The impulse ends in the terminal or synaptic knob. Here neurotransmitters are put in vesicles and travel across the synaptic cleft to the next neuron.


Where do nerve impulses leave the neuron?

Nerve impulses are transmitted down the axon and leave the neuron via the terminal bouton at the synaptic interface, releasing neurotransmitters into the synaptic cleft to affect the post-synaptic cell..


How do medicine work?

The process is called re-uptake , in the synaptic cleft certain medicines interfere with the process where excess neurotransmitters are left in the synaptic cleft , they are reabsorbed and they are broken down by enzymes. If this process is interfered with, the neurotransmitters are left to reexcite the receptors on the dendrites of the neurons. (for example) look at prozac, a person has a defeciency of dopeamine the drug interferes with re-uptake thereby making dopeamine more efficient, (Allen Delaine)


How is acetylcholine (ACh) removed from the synaptic cleft?

Acetylcholine is degraded by acetylcholinesterase


Does the impulse cross the neuromuscular junction when a muscle contracts?

No, the impulse traveling down the axon ends at the axon terminal but causes the axon terminal to release neurotransmitters. The neurotransmitters diffuse across the synaptic cleft causing the sarcolemma of the muscle to initiate its own impulse.


What is the sequence of events in the process of synaptic transmission?

Neurons communicate with each other by sending electrical signals across a synapse. In a three neuron loop the series of events that happen in synaptic transmission are as follows: Neuron 1 sends an electrical signal (action potential) down its axon towards the synapse. The action potential causes the release of neurotransmitters (chemicals) from the terminal button of Neuron 1 into the synaptic cleft. The neurotransmitters bind to the receptors of Neuron 2. This binding triggers a new action potential in Neuron 2 which travels down its axon. The action potential causes the release of neurotransmitters (chemicals) from the terminal button of Neuron 2 into the synaptic cleft. The neurotransmitters bind to the receptors of Neuron 3. This binding triggers a new action potential in Neuron 3 which travels down its axon. The action potential causes the release of neurotransmitters (chemicals) from the terminal button of Neuron 3 into the synaptic cleft. The neurotransmitters bind to the receptors of Neuron 1 closing the loop.This series of events is repeated continuously allowing for the communication between neurons in a three neuron loop.


What neurotransmitter does not go through the re-uptake process?

Acetylcholine is a neurotransmitter that does not go through the reuptake process. Instead, it is broken down by an enzyme called acetylcholinesterase in the synaptic cleft.


What is the location where chemicals pass signals from one neuron to the next?

Synapse: neurotransmitters from the pre-synaptic membrane spill into the synaptic cleft (synaptic gap), where the electrical impulse is transferred to the dendrites of the post-synaptic membrane.


Acetylcholine in the synaptic cleft is broken down by?

choline esterase enzyme and there is 2 types of choline esterase 1 .truecholine esterase 2. pseudo choline esterase


Neuromuscular junction is also known as the what?

The NMJ is the region where the efferent motor nerves connect with muscle tissue. When a signal is sent from the brain, down the spinal cord, to the nerve, neurotransmitters are released into the synaptic cleft (primary acetylcholine), which cause the muscle to contract.


What transfers a signal from the afferent nerve to the efferent nerve?

Neurotransmitters are released from the terminal bouton of the afferent nerve, cross the synaptic cleft, and bind with receptors on the efferent nerve. If enough neurotranmitter binds to reach the minimum potential, an action potential is created and the signal moves down the efferent nerve.