Synaptic Transmission

Term Paper # 110604

Medical and Health > Medical Studies

An overview of cellular communication and synaptic transmission within the nervous System.

1,518 words () | 11 sources | APA | 2008 United Kingdom

Paper Summary:

The paper notes that cell-cell communication leads a nerve impulse which is generated due to external stimulation, to reach an appropriate area of the brain. The paper further notes that processing by different cells within the brain initiates further cell-cell communication, which results in specific behaviour once the nerve impulses are communicated to a particular area of the body. The paper examines the processes which occur during cellular communication in order to obtain a better understanding of the processes.

Outline:
The Processes of Cellular Communication and Synaptic Transmission
Electrical Signal Transduction
Gap Junctions
Neurotransmitters
Glial Cells
Astrocytes
How Behaviour is Affected by Nerve Cell CommunicationInvestigation of a Newly Discovered Disorder

From the Paper:

"Gap junction proteins are encoded by a gene family in which a number of different variations have so far been identified. This means that these gap junctions are not necessarily uniform types of intracellular channels (Beyer, 1993). The basic molecular structure is however expected to be quite similar. Each gap junction is formed from two hemichannels, also known as connexons, which are located in series, with each of the cells through which the signal is to be passed providing one connexon. Each one of these connexons is constructed from a number of connexins which are thought to possess carboxyl and amino termini groups on the cytoplasmic side of the cell."

Sample of Sources Used:

Beyer, E.C. (1993) Gap junctions. International Review of Cytology, 137C, 1-36.
Bruzzone, R. & Ressot, C. (1997) Connexins, gap junctions and cell-cell signalling in the nervous system. European Journal of Neuroscience, 9, 1-6.
Dermietzel, R. (1998) Gap junction wiring: A 'new' principle in cell-to-cell communication of the nervous system. Brain Research Reviews, 26(2-3), 176-183.
Fields, R.D. & Stevens-Graham, B. (2002) New insights into neuron-glia communications. Science, 298, 556-562.
Finkbeiner, S.M. (1993) Glial calcium. Glia, 9, 83.