Lesson: Synapses Biology

Students will be able to

• recall that neurons can form synapses with other neurons, muscle fibers, or gland cells,
• describe the structure of a cholinergic synapse, including the vesicles and the calcium ion channels of the presynaptic neuron and the acetylcholine receptors and sodium ion channels of the postsynaptic neuron,
• explain the mechanism of transmitting a nervous impulse across a synapse via the neurotransmitter acetylcholine,
• describe the role of acetylcholinesterase in breaking down acetylcholine,
• recall that transmission across a synapse is unidirectional.