Question 1: Define a synapse and explain its role in nerve signal transmission.

Answer: A synapse is a junction between two neurons where nerve signals are transmitted from one neuron to another. It enables the transfer of electrical or chemical signals, allowing communication within the nervous system.

Question 2: Describe the sequence of events that occur at a chemical synapse when a nerve impulse arrives.

Answer: When a nerve impulse reaches the synaptic terminal, it causes vesicles containing neurotransmitters to fuse with the presynaptic membrane, releasing neurotransmitters into the synaptic cleft. These chemicals bind to receptors on the postsynaptic neuron, generating a new nerve impulse.

Question 3: What is the function of neurotransmitters in synaptic transmission?

Answer: Neurotransmitters are chemicals that carry the nerve signal across the synaptic cleft from one neuron to the next, enabling communication between neurons.

Question 4: Calculate the speed (in meters per second) of a nerve impulse that travels 0.5 meters in 2 milliseconds.

Answer: Speed = Distance / Time = 0.5 meters / 0.002 seconds = 250 meters per second.

Question 5: Identify three factors that can affect the efficiency of synaptic transmission.

Answer: Factors include the amount of neurotransmitter released, the presence of neurotransmitter-degrading enzymes, and the number of available receptors on the postsynaptic neuron.

Question 6: Multiple Choice: Which of the following substances is most likely to inhibit synaptic transmission?

Answer: C) Botulinum toxin

Question 7: Fill in the blank: The space between two neurons at a synapse is called the ______.

Answer: synaptic cleft

Question 8: Explain why the synaptic transmission process is considered a chemical process rather than an electrical one.

Answer: Synaptic transmission involves the release of chemical neurotransmitters from the presynaptic neuron, which then cross the synaptic cleft and bind to receptors on the postsynaptic neuron. This chemical signaling differentiates it from direct electrical conduction along the neuron.

Question 9: Describe a simple experiment to demonstrate that neurotransmitters are involved in synaptic transmission (theory only).

Answer: One could use a model system with neurons or nerve cells in a controlled environment, add a substance that blocks neurotransmitter release (like botulinum toxin), and observe the reduction or cessation of nerve signal transmission, indicating the role of neurotransmitters.

Question 10: In real-world applications, how are knowledge of synapses used in developing treatments for neurological diseases?

Answer: Understanding synapses allows scientists to develop drugs that modify neurotransmitter activity, such as antidepressants that increase serotonin levels or medications that block harmful synaptic activity in neurological disorders.