Synapse :
are circuits of chains of neurons that are functionally connected. The
operation of the
Nervous system depends on the synapses. The meaning of synapse
is "to clasp or join. It
mediates the transfer of information from one neuron to the next or from
a neuron to
an effecter cell.
- electrical synapses: are bridged junctions that correspond
to the gap junction found between
certain body cells. Transmissions that run through the electrical
synapse are
very fast and synchronize the activity of all
interconnected neurons.
- chemical synapse: are specialized in release
and reception of chemical neurotransmitters. They are
made up of two parts ; 1) axonal terminal and 2) receptor region.
The function
of the chemical synapse is to open or close ion
channels that influence membrane permeability and membrane potential.
Definitions of :
