How does Acetylcholine act on a neuronal synapse, and how is it re-uptaken?

 - Ca2+ voltage gated channels are activated due to an action potential reaching the synapse

 - Acetylcholine rests in the pre-synaptic cleft

 - They are stored in vesicles

 - The calcium influx causes the vesicles to move and fuse with the pre-synaptic membrane

 - They release their contents (Ach) into the synaptic cleft through diffustion through a channel

 - Ach binds to neuroreceptors on the post synaptic cleft, causing the channels to open and depolarisation to occur in the postsynaptic cleft

 - Excess Ach in the synaptic cleft is broken down by acetylcholinesterase to form Acetate & Choline

 - Choline is transported back into the axon terminal and is used to produce more Ach in the presynaptic neurone.

Answered by Krishan R. Biology tutor

1922 Views

See similar Biology A Level tutors

Related Biology A Level answers

All answers ▸

How does speciation occur?


Describe the lac operon, and it's transcriptional control when the concentration of glucose is low, and the concentration of lactose is high.


Discuss the bonds which comprise the tertiary structure of protein.


Difference between prokaryote and eukaryote?


We're here to help

contact us iconContact usWhatsapp logoMessage us on Whatsapptelephone icon+44 (0) 203 773 6020
Facebook logoInstagram logoLinkedIn logo
Cookie Preferences