Name: Nervous System: PNS and ANS
Uploaded: 2019-07-19
Duration: 2 min 1 s
Description: Whether we are in a conscious state or an unconscious state, our nervous system performs all activities at all times. Let us check out this video to know more.

Question

What is a synapse? What happens at the synapse between two neurons? How are the messages carried across a synapse? Explain with the help of a labelled diagram.

Accepted Answer

The microscopic gaps present in between pairs of adjacent neurons over which nerve impulses pass from one neuron to the next is known as a synapse.

A nerve impulse releases chemicals called neurotransmitters from the axon endings. These chemicals cross the synapse and start the impulse in the next neuron or an effector organ.

A receptor is in touch with the sensory nerve endings in a sense organ. A chemical reaction that produces an electrical impulse in the receptor is initiated when a stimulus acts on the receptor. This impulse moves to its cell body from the sensory neuron along its axon. The electrical impulse releases chemical substances called neurotransmitters into the synapse at the end of the sensory neuron. Neurotransmitters cross the synapse and initiate a similar electrical impulse in the next neuron dendrites. This electrical impulse is transmitted from the dendrites to the cell body and then to the second neuron axon.

Figure showing the axon terminal and Synapse

What is a synapse? What happens at the synapse between two neurons? How are the messages carried across a synapse? Explain with the help of a labelled diagram.

Important Questions on Control and Coordination

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