The following statements refer to events that occur at a synapse - Scottish Highers Human Biology - Question 20 - 2019
Question 20
The following statements refer to events that occur at a synapse.
1. An impulse is generated
2. Acetylcholine diffuses across the synaptic cleft
3. Acetylcholine is... show full transcript
Worked Solution & Example Answer:The following statements refer to events that occur at a synapse - Scottish Highers Human Biology - Question 20 - 2019
Step 1
4. Acetylcholine is released from storage vesicles
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Answer
This event occurs first when an action potential reaches the synaptic terminal, causing calcium channels to open, leading to the release of acetylcholine (ACh) from storage vesicles into the synaptic cleft.
Step 2
2. Acetylcholine diffuses across the synaptic cleft
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Answer
Once released, acetylcholine diffuses across the synaptic cleft to bind with receptors on the postsynaptic neuron.
Step 3
1. An impulse is generated
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The binding of acetylcholine to its receptors triggers an action potential in the postsynaptic neuron, effectively generating an impulse.
Step 4
3. Acetylcholine is broken down by an enzyme
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Answer
Finally, acetylcholine in the synaptic cleft is broken down by the enzyme acetylcholinesterase, terminating the signal.
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