Synaptic cleft: Difference between revisions
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A | A synaptic cleft is the gap between the [[Presynaptic membrane|presynaptic membrane]] and the [[Postsynaptic membrane|postsynaptic membrane]] of [[Neurones|neurones]], it is used to transfer a signal triggered by [[Action Potentials|Action Potentials]] through the body to initiate a response from a stimulus. This gap is approximately 50 nm in size<ref>Jeremy M. Berg et al. Biochemistry, 6th edition, 2007, W.H Freeman and Company, New York. Chapter 13 – Membrane channels and pumps, page 370.</ref>. The process begins when an Action Potential is initiated that exceeds threshold potential and [[Depolarises|depolarises]] the presynaptic membrane causing the [[Voltage-gated Calcium channels|Voltage-gated Calcium channels]] to open. This in turn causes an influx of [[Calcium|calcium]] [[Ions|ions]] into the [[Axon terminal|axon terminal]] of the [[Presynaptic membrane|presynaptic neurone]] and causes the [[Synaptic Vesicles|Synaptic Vesicles]] to fuse with the [[Presynaptic membrane|Presynaptic membrane]] by [[Exocytosis|Exocytosis]]. This allows the [[Neurotransmitter|neurotransmitter]] within the [[Vesicles|vesicles]] to diffuse across the synaptic cleft and bind to the receptors on the post-synaptic membrane. This causes the voltage-gated ion channels to open, which depolarise the neurone. Drugs and hormones also act on receptors/vesicles e.c.t in the cleft, which allows regulation of the signal. If there was no synaptic cleft, there would be no transport medium for the transfer of [[Neurotransmitters|neurotransmitters]] from one neurone to the next.<br> | ||
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Latest revision as of 17:14, 26 November 2018
A synaptic cleft is the gap between the presynaptic membrane and the postsynaptic membrane of neurones, it is used to transfer a signal triggered by Action Potentials through the body to initiate a response from a stimulus. This gap is approximately 50 nm in size[1]. The process begins when an Action Potential is initiated that exceeds threshold potential and depolarises the presynaptic membrane causing the Voltage-gated Calcium channels to open. This in turn causes an influx of calcium ions into the axon terminal of the presynaptic neurone and causes the Synaptic Vesicles to fuse with the Presynaptic membrane by Exocytosis. This allows the neurotransmitter within the vesicles to diffuse across the synaptic cleft and bind to the receptors on the post-synaptic membrane. This causes the voltage-gated ion channels to open, which depolarise the neurone. Drugs and hormones also act on receptors/vesicles e.c.t in the cleft, which allows regulation of the signal. If there was no synaptic cleft, there would be no transport medium for the transfer of neurotransmitters from one neurone to the next.
References
- ↑ Jeremy M. Berg et al. Biochemistry, 6th edition, 2007, W.H Freeman and Company, New York. Chapter 13 – Membrane channels and pumps, page 370.