AP PSYCHOLOGY

BIOLOGICAL BASES OF BEHAVIOR

NEUROTRANSMISSION

Question [CLICK ON ANY CHOICE TO KNOW THE RIGHT ANSWER]
When depolarization occurs ____ ; this allows the release of ____ into the ____
A
Sodium channels open; neurotransmitters; synaptic gap
B
Potassium channels open; neurotransmitters; synaptic gap
C
Calcium channels open; neurotransmitters; synaptic gap
D
Calcium channels open; dopamine; cell body
Explanation: 

Detailed explanation-1: -When the presynaptic membrane is depolarized, voltage-gated Ca2+ channels open and allow Ca2+ to enter the cell. The calcium entry causes synaptic vesicles to fuse with the membrane and release neurotransmitter molecules into the synaptic cleft.

Detailed explanation-2: -The surge of depolarization traveling from the axon hillock to the axon terminal is known as an action potential. Action potentials reach the axon terminal, where the action potential triggers the release of neurotransmitters from the neuron.

Detailed explanation-3: -Two factors are essential for the release of the neurotransmitter from the presynaptic terminal: (1) depolarization of the terminal and (2) the presence of calcium ions (Ca2+) in the extracellular fluid.

Detailed explanation-4: -A rapid membrane depolarization is necessary to open voltage-gated sodium channels and start the action potential.

Detailed explanation-5: -In neurons, the rapid rise in potential, depolarization, is an all-or-nothing event that is initiated by the opening of sodium ion channels within the plasma membrane. The subsequent return to resting potential, repolarization, is mediated by the opening of potassium ion channels.

There is 1 question to complete.