Synapses, properties & Transmission

SYNAPSE

Junction between 2 neurons: Axo-dendritic Axo-somatic Axo-axonal Resemble neuro-muscular junction. Between pre and post synaptic membrane synaptic cleft (20-30 nm wide).

A signal propagating down an axon to the

cell body and dendrites of the next cell.

NEURO-MUSCULAR JUNCTION

Synaptic Transmission Mechanism:

electrical synapses Gap junctions are

transmembrane protein pores between cells. The pores represent a low electrical resistance. Most electrical synapses contain many gap junctions allowing free passage of ions and small molecules in both directions when open In some synapses electrical transmission pre & post synaptic membranes are very close gap junctions highly permeable to ions rapid transmission of action potential.

Involves a chemical neuro-transmitter. Chemical transmission is more common. It resembles neuromuscular transmission.

Nerve impulse comes from nerve terminal depolarization of membrane of synaptic knob voltage gated Ca++ channels open up in the membrane Ca++ ions move into synaptic knob agitation of synaptic vesicles vesicles fuse with membrane of synaptic knob release of neuro-transmitter by exocytosis.

Depending on type of neurotransmitter & type of change in permeability of post-synaptic membrane, post-synaptic neuron is either excited or inhibited. Neuro-transmitter binds with receptor on postsynaptic membrane opening of ion channels localized change in membrane potential post-synaptic membrane potential (PSP) 2 types Excitatory (EPSP), Inhibitory (IPSP).

EPSP

Excitatory postsynaptic potential (EPSP) refers to a transient depolarization of a neuron membrane. The combined effect of EPSPs from hundreds of presynaptic terminals can summate to evoke an action potential. Resembles EPP (end plate potential). There is localized hypo-polarization due to Na+ influx. Resting potential of cell body of neuron is -65mV.

When EPSP is produced hypo-polarization potential becomes less negative reach threshold of excitation (-45mV) ACTION POTENTIAL in cell body.

Purpose of EPSP:

To bring potential of membrane to threshold (-45mV) It is graded like EPP (directly proportional to amount of neuro-transmitter released). There is no refractory period. Not self propagating like EPP.

IPSP:

Inhibitory postsynaptic potential (IPSP) is a transient hyperpolarization of a neuron membrane. The negativity of the resting membrane potential increases (normally -70 mV) and summation of IPSPs may result in an effect Produced when post-synaptic neuron is inhibited. Neuro-transmitter is of inhibitory type (GABA. Glycine)

It binds with receptors on post-synaptic membrane change in permeability of membrane for K+ or Cl(there is opening of K+ or Cl- channels efflux of K+ cell becomes more negative hyper-polarization / IPSP. Opening of Cl- channels extra-cellular Cl- moves into the cell more negative hyper-polarization / IPSP.

Effect of IPSP:

Because of IPSP, resting potential which is -65mV, becomes -70 to -75mV Post-synaptic neuron is inhibited POST-SYNAPTIC INHIBITION. PRE-STNAPTIC INHIBITION: Synaptic knob has additional synapse with other nerve terminals release of inhibitory neurotransmitter from additional synapse synaptic knob is inhibited no further transmission from synapse now to post-synaptic neuron.

EPSP Vs ACTION POTENTIAL:

Property
Magnitude Propagation & Duration Refractory period All or none law

EPSP
Low Nil; it remains localized ( up to 20 msec) absent Not obeyed. It is graded.

Action Potential
High Self propagating ( up to 2 msec) present obeyed

Decrement (decline present of size with distance) Increased To Na+ & K+ at permeability to ions one time but Na+ influx > K+ efflux

Absent. Size is constant Na+ first, then K+

The neuromuscular endplate is the contact zone between the axons of motor neurons and striated muscle fibres It is a local potential of motor end plate, i-e., the thickened muscle membrane that is supplied by a motor-neuron, thus forming a component of neuromuscular junction. Local potential recorded only at End plate region.

EPP

It varies with strength of stimulus / amount of neurotransmitter released. It can show summation.

Miniature End Plate Potentials (MEPPs) Miniature end plate potentials are the small (~0.5mV) depolarizations of the postsynaptic terminal caused by the release of a single vesicle into the synaptic cleft.

EPP

Because of EPP Threshold for action potential is reached (-65 mV). If RMP is -90 mV, then threshold is -65 mV, we need 25 mV potential change. Purpose of EPP is to reach the threshold of action potential. So voltage of EPP is much more than required, because required is only 25 mV. It is called SAFETY FACTOR.

EPP Vs AP

EPP: Local potential recorded only at End plate region. Voltage: 0.5 mV (MEPP) EPP varies with strength of stimulus / amount of neurotransmitter released. Can show summation.

AP: Self-propagated. Voltage: 35-40 mV

AP follows All or None Law/ requires only threshold stimulus. Does not show summation.

Properties of Synaptic Transmission:

DALES LAW: At a given synapse, only 1 type of neurotransmitter is released, it may be excitatory or inhibitory. Later on it was found that in certain cases release of additional substances at a given synapse e.g., in noradrenergic synapses: along with norepinephrine, some dopamine, octopamine, dopaminebeta hydroxylase, neuropeptide Y & prostaglandins are also released, although their role is ?? (not fully known)

LAW OF FORWARD CONDUCTION: Through synapses, impulses are conducted always from pre-synaptic to post synaptic neuron, never in backward direction. (NO REVERSE GEAR!!)

SYNAPTIC DELAY:The time (typically 0.3-0.5 ms) required for a neurotransmitter to be released from a presynaptic membrane, diffuse across the synaptic cleft, and bind to a receptor site on the post-synaptic membrane. Synaptic delay is a rate-limiting factor in the transmission of a nerve impulse from one neurone to the next or to an effector cell, At a synapse, there is delay due to time taken in events during synaptic transmission. Through each synapse, there is delay of 0.5 milli seconds.

FATIGUE OF SYNAPTIC TRANSMISSION: If impulses are conducted through a synapse repeatedly fatigue due to exhaustion of stores or progressive inactivation of receptors on postsynaptic membrane. Significance of fatigue????

pre- and postsynaptic sites

Presynaptic sites of NTF include: axonal branch point conduction block; a failure of excitation-secretion coupling at the presynaptic terminal; reductions in quantal release of ACh; and reductions in quantal size. Postsynaptic sites of NTF include: cholinergic receptor desensitization; and reduced sarcolemmal excitability. Susceptibility to NTF increases with stimulation frequency and is most prevalent in fatigable fast-twitch motor units. In addition, susceptibility to NTF varies with age and with conditions of altered use

Fatigue of synaptic transmission is protective in nature termination of epileptic fit.

IN UNITY RESTS STRENGTH!

SUMMATION: Adding up of effects of stimuli particularly if stimuli are subthreshold. On a single motor neuron, thousands of synaptic knobs terminate to form synapses. About 80% of these synapses are on dendrites, remaining on cell body & few on axons. So single impulse coming to motor neuron through a synapse, cant excite a motor neuron & there must be summation of effects of stimuli.

2 TYPES OF SUMMATION:
TEMPORAL Impulses transmit through 1 or few synaptic knobs repeatedly effects on postsynaptic neurons are added stimulation. Second stimulus must fall when effect of 1st one is still there. JO PATHAR PAY PANI PARAY MUTTASIL, TO BAY SHUBA GHIS JAAY PATHAR KI SIL!

SPATIAL Impulses are conducted along a number of synapses simultaneously effects on postsynaptic neuron are added excitation. MOUJ HAY DARYA MEIN OR BAYROON A DARYA KUCH NAHIN!!

POST-TETANIC FACILITATION OR POTENTIATION:

(Rest is best for test!) If impulses are conducted through a synapse rapidly then rest is given to synapse then again impulses are conducted response of post-synaptic neuron is increased. Calcium ions enter in synaptic knob in each transmission, before fatigue occurs increase no. of calcium accumulate in knob more neurotransmitter released more EPSP. After fatigue if rest is given more calcium ions become available facilitation.

ALKALOSIS INCREASE EXCITABILITY OF SYNAPSES, ACIDOSIS DEPRESSES SYNAPTIC TRANSMISSION:

Increase excitability

Decrease excitability

Caffeine (cerebral stimulant open up open up) Theophylline Strychnine / Kuchla (opisthotonus) Decreased calcium (tetany)

Anesthetics Hypoxia Increased calcium (stabilize)

Transmission of action potential along a nerve fiber:

UNMYELINATED NERVE FIBER: Conducted point to point. A local circuit of current is formed between depolarized point and adjacent polarized point. Current flowing out through depolarized point activates sodium channels at polarized point depolarization action potential then a new circuit of current is formed between this depolarized point and adjacent polarized point.

Incase of unmyelinated fiber conduction velocity is slow because it is point to point. Velocity: 2-5 m/sec Synapses only allow propagation between pre-synaptic to post-synaptic neuron inside the body but in vitro, it is in both directions.

MYELINATED FIBERS: Node to node conduction. Saltatory / jumping conduction. All channels are present at nodes of Ranvier. Myelin sheath is absent and neurilemma is there at node. Velocity: 120 m/sec Thicker nerve fiber, longer internode, greater velocity. A alpha fibers.