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Neurons - Anatomy & Physiology (view source)
Revision as of 10:58, 25 August 2011
, 10:58, 25 August 2011→Inter-neuron Synapses
====Inter-neuron Synapses====
====Inter-neuron Synapses====
The interaction between nerves within the synapse is fairly similar to that within the neuromuscular junction but there are several key differences. Firstly the receiving neuron will be receiving information from multiple other nerves rather than just one nerve as per a muscle cell. Secondly there are many more types of neurotransmitters utilised by inter-neuron synapses than just ACh. There are also a wider range of types of synapses between neurons that include both excitatory which will propagate a nerve impulse, but also inhibitory which will prevent another synapse on the same nerve propagating a nerve impulse.
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'''Excitatory synapses''' will lead to depolarisation of the target neuron and if this depolarisation reaches the threshold level, an impulse will be propagated. This depolarisation is referred to as '''excitatory post-synaptic potential (EPSP)''' as it brings the membrane potential of the target cell closer to the threshold for an action potential. If several excitatory synapses on the same nerve excite simultaneously, the target cell will receive the sum of all these individual synaptic potentials. Therefore multiple e
active excitatory synapses are more likely to cause a threshold depolarisation.
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==Astrocytes==
==Astrocytes==