Control and Co-ordination — BIOLOGY STD 12 Science — Question
Maharashtra BoardEnglish MediumSTD 12 ScienceBIOLOGYControl and Co-ordination5 Marks
Question
Explain transmission of nerve impulse across a synapse. $OR$ Explain how is impulse transmitted through a synapse?
✓
Answer
The nerve impulse travels along the axon of the pre$-$synaptic neuron to the axon terminal.
Pre$-$synaptic neurons or axons have several synaptic knobs at their ends or terminals.
These knobs have membranous sacs, called synaptic vesicles having neurotransmitter molecules.
When an impulse reaches a synaptic knob, voltage sensitive $Ca^{++}$ channels open and calcium ions $(Ca^{++})$ diffuse inward from the extracellular fluid.
The increased calcium concentration inside the cells, initiates a series of events that help to fuse the synaptic vesicles with the cell membrane of pre$-$synaptic neuron, where they release their neurotransmitters by exocytosis.
The neurotransmitters bind to the receptors of the post$-$synaptic cell,
This action is either excitatory $($stimulating$)$ or inhibitory $($slowing down/stopping$).$
Once the impulse has been transferred across the synapse, the enzyme like acetyl cholinesterase destroys the
neurotransmitter and the synapse is ready to receive a new impulse.
Need a full question paper?
Generate a complete, print-ready paper with questions like this in minutes — across 16+ boards, with answer keys.