Question

Describe how a synapse works?

Answer 1

The word synapse came from the Greek word synapsis which means ”together”. Synapse is a structure of the nervous system that helps in the transmission of a chemical or electrical signal by a neuron to another neuron or to the target cell.

Complete answer:
Neurons are the cells responsible for passing signals to other target cells and this takes place by the help of synapse. At the synapse, the plasma membrane of the neuron passing the signal, also known as the presynaptic neuron comes close to the membrane of the target cell known as the postsynaptic neuron. By means of various different molecular machinery the signal is transmitted from a presynaptic to a postsynaptic neuron. Synapses are stabilised by the help of synaptic adhesion molecules that project from both the pre and postsynaptic neuron and also help in functioning of the synapses. Synapses are broadly of two types- chemical and electrical synapses.

In case of chemical synapses the electrical signal is transmitted by the release of a chemical known as the neurotransmitter. The presynaptic neuron releases the neurotransmitter which then binds to the postsynaptic neuron and brings about changes. In electrical synapse the pre and postsynaptic neuron are connected by means of gap junctions that are capable of passing electric current that causes voltage changes in the postsynaptic cell.

Note: It is known that synapses play an important role in the formation of memory. When a neurotransmitter activates the neurons, at the stage where both the passing and receiving neuron is activated the strength of the connected neural pathways result in the storage of information thus resulting in memory.