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Molecular Mechanism of Synaptic Function

Topic

  • Cell Biology
  • Cell Communication
  • Anatomy & Physiology
  • Nervous & Endocrine Systems

Resource Type

  • Videos
  • Animations

Level

High School — AP/IBCollege

Duration

00:01:09
Saved By
15 Users
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View in Spanish

Description

This animation shows how neurons send and receive signals to communicate with one another at contact points called synapses.

Electrical impulses travel from neuron to neuron to transfer information. When an electrical impulse reaches the end of a neuron, it triggers the opening of channels that release calcium ions. The increase in calcium triggers the release of neurotransmitter molecules into the synapse. The neurotransmitter activates receptors on a second target neuron, opening channels that let sodium inside that neuron. The increase in sodium triggers an electrical impulse that travels across the target neuron.

This animation illustrates the process of signal transmission in three-dimensional detail. This animation is a clip from a 2008 Holiday Lecture Series, Making Your Mind: Molecules, Motion, and Memory. Depending on students’ backgrounds, it may be helpful to pause the animation at various points to discuss different features of the neurons.

Key Terms

action potential, calcium, cell signaling, dendrite, electrical impulse, ion channel, neuron, neurotransmitter, synapse

Terms of Use

Please see the Terms of Use for information on how this resource can be used.

Accessibility Level (WCAG compliance)

Video files meet criteria. Spanish files meet criteria.

Version History

Date Published 02.04.08
Date Updated 06.02.20

NGSS (2013)

HS-LS1.A

AP Biology (2019)

ENE-2, IST-3, IST-5

IB Biology (2016)

6.5

Vision and Change (2009)

CC3

Materials

Large (MOV) 9 MB
Large (WMV) 9 MB
Small (MOV) 3 MB
Small (WMV) 3 MB
Transcript (PDF) 11 KB
Spanish Dub (Español) (MP4) 20 MB
Transcript - Español (PDF) 175 KB

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