1. Synapse and Neurotransmitter Dr. Shaikh Mujeeb Ahmed Assistant prof. Physiology Al Maarefa College 1 Lecture slides are prepared by Dr.Mohammed Sharique Ahmed Quadri

2. Objectives Define synaptic transmission List the types of synapses Describe the mechanism of action of chemical and electrical synapse. Explain the mechanisms of excitatory and inhibitory post-synaptic potentials. Compare EPSP &IPSP Describe the properties of synaptic transmission 2

3. SNAPSES AND NEURONAL INTEGRATION A Neuron may terminate on one of THREE structures: 1) MUSCLE 2) GLAND 3) ON ANOTHER NEURON – JUNCTION BETWEEN TWO NEURON IS CALLED SYNAPSE 3

4. Synapses Junction between two presynaptic and postsynaptic neurons There are two types of Synapse: 1. Electrical Synapses: Two neurons connected by gap junctions 2. Chemical Synapses: Chemical messenger is transmitted across the junction separating the two neurons 4

5. ELECTRICAL SYNAPSES In electrical synapses, two neuron are connected by Gap Junction which allow ions (charged particles) to flow between the two cells. Therefore Action Potential travels from one cell to another. Electrical signals are rare in Human Nervous System. 5

6. ELECTRICAL SYNAPSES [cont] Example of Electrical Synapses --- Pulp of tooth --- Retina of the Eye --- Cardiac Muscle --- Smooth Muscle 6

7. CHEMICAL SYNAPSES In human CNS, most of the synapses are Chemical, where chemical messenger transmits information from one neuron to another. WE WILL DISCUSS CHEMICAL SYNAPSE 7

8. synapse 8

9. Synapse 9

10. Synaptic Delay Transmission of electrical impulse [AP] by chemical means from presynaptic neuron to post-synaptic neuron takes time. It is called ‘Synaptic Delay’. It is 0.5 to 1 millisecond. 10

11. Synapses Signal at synapse either excites or inhibits the postsynaptic neuron Two types of synapses – Excitatory synapses – Inhibitory synapses 11

12. Neurotransmitters Vary from synapse to synapse Same neurotransmitter is always released at a particular synapse Quickly removed from the synaptic cleft Some common neurotransmitters – Acetylcholine – Dopamine – Norepinephrine – Epinephrine – Serotonin – Histamine – Glycine – Glutamate – Aspartate – Gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA 12

13. ‘Important’ Glutamate – Most common excitatory neurotransmitter in the brain. It causes EPSP. GABA [Gamma amino butyric acid] – Most common inhibitory neurotransmitter in brain. It causes IPSP. 13

14. Neurotransmitter Removal From The Synaptic Cleft Neurotransmitters are quickly removed from the synaptic cleft by various ways: 1.Inactivated by enzymes present on post synaptic membrane. 2.Diffuse away from synaptic cleft. 3.Actively taken back into axon terminal. 14

15. Neuropeptides Large molecules consisting of from 2 to 40 amino acids Synthesized in neuronal cell body in the endoplasmic reticulum and Golgi complex Packaged in large, dense-core vesicles present in axon terminal Neuropeptides are considered neuromodulators don’t cause the formation of EPSP or IPSP, but bring about long term changes that subtly modulate, depress or enhance the action of the synapse 15

16. Comparison of Classical Neurotransmitters and Neuropeptides

17. Post-Synaptic Potential EPSPs and IPSPs are graded potential [local]. They can be summated [added]. Types of Summation 1. Temporal Summation 2. Spatial Summation 17

18. Temporal Summation When single presynaptic neuron is stimulated many times after short intervals, to summate several EPSP, it is called ‘Temporal Summation’. Up to 50 EPSPs might be needed to bring post- synaptic membrane to threshold level. 18

19. Spatial Summation When two or more excitatory neurons are stimulated together at the same time, to get the action potential. It is called Spatial Summation. 19

20. 20

21. Presynaptic inhibition or facilitation can selectively alter the effectiveness of a presynaptic input. 21

22. Convergence And Divergence  Convergence: On a given neuron, many other neurons come and synapse on it. It is called ‘Convergence’. Due to convergence input, a single neuron is influenced by thousands of other cells. 22

23. Convergence And Divergence [cont]  Divergence It refers to the branching of axon terminals so that single cell synapses with many other cells. 23

24. Convergence And Divergence 24

25. ‘Important Information’ There are about 100 billion neurons in the brain. A single neuron maybe connected to 5000 to 10,000 other neurons. Brain is responsible for different activities like sensations, movements of muscle, thought, emotion, memory – all these depend on electrical and chemical signaling between neurons along wired neural pathways. 25

26. Synaptic Drug Interactions Possible drug actions 1. Altering the synthesis, axonal transport, storage, or release of a neurotransmitter 2. Modifying neurotransmitter interaction with the postsynaptic receptor 3. Influencing neurotransmitter reuptake or destruction 4. Replacing a deficient neurotransmitter with a substitute transmitter 26

27. 27

28. References Human physiology by Lauralee Sherwood, seventh edition Text book physiology by Guyton &Hall,11 th edition Text book of physiology by Linda.s contanzo,third edition 28