10.6 - Structure and function of synapses

A synapse is the point where the axon of one neurone connects with the dendrite of another/with the effector.

Functions of Synapses

Synapses transmit nerve impulses from one neurone to another. In doing so, they act as junctions, allowing:

• a single impulse along a neurone to be transmitted to a number of different neurones at a synapse. This allows a single stimulus to create a number of simultaneous responses.
• a number of different impulses combined at a synapse. This allows stimuli from different receptors to interact in order to produce a single response.

Features of synapses

• The neurotransmitter is created only in the presynaptic neurone and not in the postsynaptic neurone.
• The neurotransmitter is stored in synaptic vesicles and released into the synapse…