Question

Explain the process of the transport and release of a neurotransmitter with the help of a labelled diagram showing a complete neuron, axon terminal and synapse.

Answer 1

Transport of neurotransmitters:

• Neurotransmitters are the chemicals involved in the transmission of nerve impulse at the synapses.
• Impulse arrives at the axon terminal and stimulates the synaptic vesicles to move and fuse with the plasma membrane and release the neurotransmitter in the synaptic cleft.
• The released neurotransmitter binds to their specific receptors present in the postsynaptic membrane.
• This results in opening of some ion channels in the postsynaptic membrane and allowing the ion to move inside and generate an action potential.
• The action potential generated can have an excitatory or inhibitory effect on the postsynaptic membrane.