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How does an impulse cross a synaptic gap between two nerve cells?
Wiki User
∙ 11y ago
Neurotransmitters send the impulse across the synapse
Wiki User
∙ 11y ago
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What is a synaptic gap?
This is the junction between two neurons. At the one end you have the pre-synaptic membrane - the terminal end of the previous neuron, the pre-synaptic neuron - and on the other side you have the post-synaptic membrane, part of the post-synaptic neuron. Action potentials typically cross the cleft by the use of neurotransmitters. Examples include ACh (Acetyl Choline), often used in the synaptic clefts of parasympathetic neurons.
What is the small gap between neurons called?
The small microscopic gabs b/w the two neurons are called "Synapse". The conduction of nerve impulse through this synapse is made possible through Neurotransmitters. As the impulse reaches at the Pre-synaptic membrane the small vesicles release these Neurotransmitters which initialize the impulse in post-synaptic membrane.
How do nerve impulses cross the gap between nerve cells?
When an electrical signal, or impulse, reaches the end of an axon it triggers chemicals called transmitters. The electrical signals then become chemical ones as the transmitters cross the synapse, the gap between an axon and a dendrite. When they reach the dendrite of another neuron they spark a new electrical signal that then travels the length of that nerve cell. And it does this over and over until it reaches its destination.
What is the function of a presynaptic terminal?
It stores neurotransmitters and release its content across synaptic cleft
How do impulses travel throughout the nervous system?
An impulse travels from one nerve to another by release & subsequent diffusion of chemicals called neurotransmitters across a very small gap between neurons, called a synapse.How neurotransmitters are released: As an impulse reaches an end of a neuron (the axon terminal), the impulse opens ion pores in that axon terminal which allows Calcium ions to enter, which cause the movement of small membrane bounded packets of neurotransmitter chemicals, called vesicles (like tiny water balloons), to move to the cell membrane, where the vesicles fuse into the cell membrane, thus releasing the contents, the neurotransmitters, into the small space (the synaptic cleft) between the axon terminal and the dendrite of the post-synaptic neuron (the neuron the impulse is traveling to).What neurotransmitters do when they reach the post-synaptic neuron: The post-synaptic neuron has many receptor structures each of which are like a combination of a "well", and an open-and-closeable tunnel or pore. The "well" (or hole with a bottom surface) is a RECEPTOR for the neurotransmitter chemical, in that the neurotransmitter FITS into that well like a key into a lock. And when a neurotransmitter diffuses to and enters that well, it affects the shape of the companion tunnel (ION PORE), such that the ion pore OPENS, thus allowing Sodium ions to enter the post-synaptic neuron (normally at a dendrite, the manifold tiny input structures for a neuron).A previous answer slightly improved: Nerve impulse travelingThe impulse is like an electrical current which 'flows' along the nerves cells, their inputs ('branches' called dendrites), their outputs (axons), and the junctions between nerves; but it is not so simple as a regular electrical wire, because a complex biochemical process is also involved. This process is responsible for the initial creation of the electrical current, to its re-creation some additional times along its passing (- otherwise it would have died out because of the long lengths such an impulse travels), and to its re-creation in any 'new' nerve cell it reaches.
Can neurotransmitters cross the synaptic cleft?
Yes, neurotransmitters diffuse across the synaptic cleft to transmit a neural signal; the actual neural impulse(spike) occurs when the neuron fires in response to a sufficiency of signals received.
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 are the Chemicals that cross the synaptic gap and bind to receptors on another neuron called?
Neurotransmitters are the chemicals that cross the synaptic gap and bind to receptors on another neuron. These neurotransmitters play a crucial role in transmitting signals between neurons in the brain and nervous system.
How does a nerve impulse cross the gap between the axon and the next?
Curently unknown...
A synapse consist of?
A synapse is the connection between two neurons. It consists of the synaptic cleft (the physical gap between one neuron's axon and the other's dendrite). Neurotransmitters cross the gap from the axon to the dendrite and affect whether the next neuron fires.
What is a synaptic gap?
This is the junction between two neurons. At the one end you have the pre-synaptic membrane - the terminal end of the previous neuron, the pre-synaptic neuron - and on the other side you have the post-synaptic membrane, part of the post-synaptic neuron. Action potentials typically cross the cleft by the use of neurotransmitters. Examples include ACh (Acetyl Choline), often used in the synaptic clefts of parasympathetic neurons.
What is the small gap between neurons called?
The small microscopic gabs b/w the two neurons are called "Synapse". The conduction of nerve impulse through this synapse is made possible through Neurotransmitters. As the impulse reaches at the Pre-synaptic membrane the small vesicles release these Neurotransmitters which initialize the impulse in post-synaptic membrane.
Do dendrites receive chemical or electrical messages from other cells?
both, but usually biochemical since the synaptic gap is normally too wide for bioelectrical signals to cross.
Chemicals that cross the synaptic space from the axon to the dendrites are called?
Neurotransmitters.
Where does an impulse move from on neuron to the other?
The impulse has to cross over a synapse to another neuron or an effector.
What structures cross the synapse to generate the next impulse?
Neurotransmitters.
How do nerve impulses cross the gap between nerve cells?
When an electrical signal, or impulse, reaches the end of an axon it triggers chemicals called transmitters. The electrical signals then become chemical ones as the transmitters cross the synapse, the gap between an axon and a dendrite. When they reach the dendrite of another neuron they spark a new electrical signal that then travels the length of that nerve cell. And it does this over and over until it reaches its destination.
